Senator Portman and other Ohio Republicans in Congress continue to play politics with women's health. Now, they have chosen to support the discredited "Center for Medical Progress" (CMP) videos instead of their constituents. Not only should women of any socioeconomic background be able to access abortion counseling and care (as is their right after Roe), but they should also have access to contraception, well-woman exams, cancer screenings, and STD testing. Planned Parenthood cannot be replaced in providing this care, as Crisis Pregnancy Centers are not required to (and do not) provide medically accurate information. Furthermore, these centers fail to employ certified health care providers (doctors, nurses, physician assistants, etc.) to safely and honestly treat their patients.

Planned Parenthood was there for me when I had no health insurance as a college student, along with many others who have limited or no health insurance. Planned Parenthood is an essential organization assisting women in maintaining their health Cutting its funding will result in many women having nowhere to turn, a negative impact on our entire society.

As a MoveOn.org member, national members called my attention to starting a specific petition to Louisiana representatives, which would be more pivotal from a local constituent getting other residents involved with the matter. Louisiana already has a failing grade for its work with women's healthcare, and we need to reconcile this now by signing as Louisiana residents in support of Planned Parenthood and its excellent efforts.

I have lived in urban neighborhoods where, without Planned Parenthood, many women would have no affordable access to medical tests, contraception, and accurate sexual health information. American women, especially those in underserved populations, need the important health services and information provided by Planned Parenthood. Already, the federal government does NOT provide funds for Planned Parenthood's abortion services, which are PRIVATELY funded and constitute no more than 3% of the organization's total combined budget.

I'm one of millions of women who have benefited from Planned Parenthood's health and reproductive services. I'm sure you know someone who has as well. This organization is a critical part of healthcare for low-income men and women who quite literally can't afford its defunding.

Where as abortion should not be a form of main birth control, accidents during sex do happen. An illegal abortion, where the woman may die (and not the man, since he will not be having one) should not even be considered.

A Pap smear done by Planned Parenthood saved my cousin's life.

Politicians are not doing the right thing. Stay true to national issues and not special interest groups.

I believe every woman should be able to decide what to do with her own body and her life.

We must come together to save Planned Parenthood.

Years ago, I was able to obtain health care through Planned Parenthood. At that time, I I could not have afforded the care. Many people now could not obtain contraception, breast cancer screenings, sex education, and more without Planned Parenthood. Please continue this necessary assistance!

When I learned while pregnant that my child would have Down Syndrome, my own doctor urged me to have an abortion. I had a choice about the matter. Could my family and I handle having a special needs person in our family? And while I chose to have my beautiful daughter, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to consider abortion for the well-being of my life and family. Women do not need the government interfering in this personal decision. Also, pulling funding from millions of low-income women for healthcare, along with states efforts limiting Medicaid and other healthcare funding IS a war on women.