NEW: Planned Parenthood Backs Markey in U.S. Senate Race

Thursday, March 14, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the advocacy and political arm of the national group, has thrown its support behind U.S. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Malden) in the U.S. Senate special election to replace John Kerry, the organization announced on Thursday.

“Planned Parenthood Action fund is proud to support Congressman Markey for U.S. Senate,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Throughout his career, Ed has been a steadfast champion for women and their access to health care – voting to support the historic women’s health advancements in the Affordable Care Act and opposing attacks on access to safe and legal abortion. He recognizes that personal health care decisions should be left to a woman in consultation with her doctor, her family and her faith – without interference from politicians. Despite the defining role that women’s health played in the 2012 elections – with champions for women’s health like Senator Elizabeth Warren winning races across the country – the attacks on women’s health have continued. That is why it is so important for Massachusetts to send a trusted and consistent supporter like Ed Markey to the Senate.”

Markey has received a 100 percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for his votes in the Congress to oppose legislation that would have restricted access to safe and legal abortion, and his votes to support comprehensive sex education, birth control access and funding for Planned Parenthood. The group noted that Markey also supported passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Obama's healthcare law that includes historic new benefits for women, including access to birth control without a co-pay as well as a number of other preventive health care services. During congressional debate on the ACA, Markey opposed the Stupak-Pitts amendment that would have effectively banned health coverage of abortion in the new health insurance marketplaces.

“We are pleased to stand with the Planned Parenthood Action Fund in support of Congressman Markey, who is unwavering in his support for women’s health,” said Martha “Marty” Walz, president of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. “Massachusetts voters are proud of our long history of electing U.S. Senators who put smart policies ahead of political ideologies and who will not compromise on women’s access to health care. We must carry on that tradition and elect Congressman Markey, who understands that politicians should not meddle in a woman’s personal health care decisions. The women and men of Massachusetts can trust Congressman Markey to respect their choices.”