WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement in disapproval of Senate Republicans attempt to defund Planned Parenthood and repeal key components of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill voted on today in the Senate.
“It is grossly irresponsible to waste taxpayer dollars playing partisan games with the healthcare of the American people. The Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood provide lifesaving care for millions of Americans and thousands of New Jerseyans.
"New Jersey's Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide vital care to thousands of women and men each year, from cervicaland breast cancer screenings to prenatal and child healthcare services. The fact that this bill was even considered for a vote is an affront to women who deserve the right to healthcare and to make their own medical decisions with their doctor.
"Instead of trying to score political points, Congress should be spending its few working days left before the holidays acting on legislation that responsibly funds the government, provides tax relief to working families and businesses, invests in our crumbling transportation infrastructure, and strengthens education for our children.”
In New Jersey, 254,316 consumers selected or were automatically re-enrolled in affordable health insurance coverage through the Marketplace (ACA) as of Feb. 22, 2015. Nationwide, nearly 11.7 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically enrolled in Marketplace coverage. Planned Parenthood has 26 centers in New Jersey that have served 71,505 patients in 2014 alone.