Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), on the Release of President Obama’s 2014 Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
CONTACT:
Melissa Fowler
202.667.5881; 202.595.4395 (after hours/cell)
mfowler@prochoice.org
The President’s budget takes an important step toward lifting a ban that prohibits DC from using its locally raised revenue to help low-income women obtain the abortion care they need. This discriminatory policy interferes with the rights of DC residents and has effectively prevented the DC government from meeting the needs of women in the District. The President’s budget also eases restrictions on abortion care for Peace Corps volunteers. We appreciate that President Obama has addressed these inequitable policies.
However, despite addressing these bans, the President’s budget still maintains harmful restrictions that undermine women’s access to abortion care.
Federal funding restrictions are the most significant barrier to abortion access for low-income women in the United States. These funding restrictions unfairly jeopardize the health and well-being of millions of women who rely on the federal government for their health care. NAF operates a toll-free Hotline and we hear from thousands of women every month who are struggling to afford the cost of the abortion care they need.
Abortion care is basic health care for women and should not be treated differently from other health care services. As we move forward with the budget, we call on the President and Congress to work together to ensure that women have access to comprehensive health care, including abortion care.
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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in North America. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care, which promotes health and justice for women. Our members include private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for more than half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City. For more information, visit our website at www.prochoice.org.