Last week, I visited the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountainsclinic in Arvada to see firsthand how Trump’s Medicaid ban is hurting our community. In their Big Ugly Bill, Trump and Republicans banned people from using Planned Parenthood for health care if they use Medicaid.
Because of this ban, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains had to cancel over 100 appointments in just the first week alone, and tell 15,000 patients, about 25% of their patient base, that they could no longer be seen there. This isn’t just about abortion access– this cruel ban also prevents Coloradans from getting cancer screenings, STI treatment, and birth control access.
Like so many women, I relied on Planned Parenthood for access to health care when I was uninsured. In many places, especially rural and low-income areas, Planned Parenthood is the only option people have to access care. Donald Trump and the Republicans are leaving millions of Americans with nowhere to turn.
I met with staff and providers at the Arvada clinic who are doing everything they can to keep care available despite staffing shortages and funding cuts. They are the true heroes, and I will keep doing everything I can at the federal level to make sure they can keep their doors open and continue to serve our community.
Recently, a federal judge has rightly, temporarily blocked Trump’s ban on Medicaid use at Planned Parenthood nationwide. But we can’t undo the damage already done, and the fight is not over. No politician should be making decisions about our bodies or our families.
Congress should be working to strengthen our health care system, expand access, and lower costs across the board, not rip care away. I’ll never stop fighting for access to care and for the people who depend on it.
