Kuster Denounces Republican-led Executive Council Vote To Defund NH Family Planning Providers

Statement

Today, Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) released the following statement after the Republican-led New Hampshire Executive Council reaffirmed their decision to defund New Hampshire family planning providers across the state, restricting Granite Staters' access to life-saving reproductive and preventive care.

"The Executive Council's decision today demonstrates the ongoing efforts of far-right extremists to turn back the clock on women's reproductive freedom. This vote flies in the face of what Granite State women and their families want and instead caters to State Republicans deciding what health care a woman needs. By refusing to reverse course, the Executive Council is effectively stripping women across New Hampshire of their right to comprehensive health care.

"This move comes after New Hampshire Republicans voted earlier this year to institute the most restrictive abortion ban in recent memory and force women to undergo invasive, costly, and unnecessary ultrasounds. The message to Granite State women couldn't be more clear: state Republicans do not trust you to make your own reproductive decisions.

"When women lack access to the health care services they need, lives are needlessly lost. And the safe access to reproductive and preventive care that NH family planning providers offer -- including birth control, STI treatment, and cancer screening for NH residents -- is essential to our state's health care system. The Executive Council's decision will cut off critical resources for our most vulnerable populations. I will continue working to ensure every Granite Stater has access to the reproductive care they need and combat the consequences of today's decision."

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