Dear Editor:
I am writing to express concern about the continuing attacks
of the Trump administration on access to health care. Unable to repeal the
Affordable Care Act, the administration is implementing more subtle policies
that chip away at access to affordable healthcare, particularly in the area of
reproductive health services. One such policy scheduled for implementation is
the gag rule imposed on health centers that receive Title X funds. This rule
will deny Title X funding to Planned Parenthood on the basis of its commitment
to providing a full range of reproductive healthcare options that includes
abortion. Title X funding enables Planned Parenthood to offer reproductive
healthcare to underserved communities such as lower income and rural
constituents. The local Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes serves
over 7,000 patients through the Title X program across Tompkins, Chemung,
Schuyler, and Steuben counties. Patients receive crucial services such as birth
control, cancer screenings, and testing for sexually transmitted infections
that they otherwise would not be able to afford. The voters spoke loudly and
clearly in last year’s election that access to affordable healthcare is of
utmost concern yet the current executive branch of our government is not
willing to accept the will of the people on this issue. We must continue to speak out by contacting
our legislators and by supporting political candidates who understand and will
work tirelessly to protect the right of all Americans to affordable healthcare.
