Rep. Cisneros Tours Health Facilities, Calls Out Devastating Impact of Republican Healthcare Crisis

Los Angeles, CA - Hours after the government shutdown, Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31) toured a Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley (PPPSGV) health center in Baldwin Park and a community health center in West Covina to see the impact of the Republican healthcare cuts. During these visits, Rep. Cisneros heard directly from patients and providers about the devastating effects of rising premiums and federal funding cuts to the healthcare system.

"46% of my district relies on Medicaid, or Medi-Cal as it's called in California, for lifesaving care. Defunding Planned Parenthood and community health centers is essentially ripping healthcare away from the people who need care most-it's cruel and inhumane," said Rep. Cisneros. "Thanks to Republicans' inability to govern, millions of Americans will be saddled with higher healthcare costs. The cost of living in America is already way too high and now, hard-working Americans will be forced to choose between feeding their kids and getting their medication. My constituents in CA-31 should not have to make this impossible choice. I refuse to provide a blank check for Republicans to force through their extreme agenda of healthcare cuts and higher prices that is making the American people less healthy, less safe, and worse off."

"We've been providing essential sexual and reproductive health care to the community for 90 plus years, and we plan to keep our doors open for the next 90 years and beyond," said Juliana Serrano, Vice President of Advocacy & Equity at PPPSGV."These national attacks are part of a years-long, coordinated strategy to take away access to reproductive care and shut down Planned Parenthood health centers for providing abortion care. We're not backing down without a fight and resisting the best way we know how - by continuing to offer high-quality and affordable health care to anyone who needs it."

In California's 31st Congressional District, more than 44,000 people will lose healthcare because of cuts to Medicare and ACA tax credits and healthcare premiums will rise up to $13,783. PPPSGV, like other Planned Parenthood facilities, have been barred from receiving Medicaid reimbursements. In California, 109 Planned Parenthood health centers are currently locked out of reimbursement for services provided to Medi-Cal patients. Over 75% of patients who visit PPPSGV health centers rely on Medi-Cal to access their health care.

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