November, 05 2008, 02:04pm EDT
Colorado Voters Defeate Dangerous Amendment and Put Women's Health and Safety First
WASHINGTON
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) stands with voters in Colorado who resoundingly rejected by a three to one margin a ballot initiative that would have eliminated a woman's ability to make personal, private decisions about her health care. Amendment 48 sought to grant legal rights to a fertilized egg. It could have banned all abortions and could have been used to block stem cell research and in vitro fertilization, among other reproductive health services. It could even have prevented doctors from providing lifesaving care to a woman if the medical treatment needed could harm a fertilized egg, and it could have triggered government investigations into miscarriages. Amendment 48 would have seriously endangered women's health and family privacy.
"This rejection by voters of Amendment 48 sends a clear message: personal, private health care decisions should be made by women, their doctors, and their families, not by politicians," said PPFA President Cecile Richards. "We need government policies that improve access to health care, not take it away."
Planned Parenthood will continue to work to protect women's health and safety by providing affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, abortion services, and information and education.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is many things to many people. We are a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital health care services, sex education, and sexual health information to millions of women, men, and young people.
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