RELEASE: Congresswoman Friedman, Planned Parenthood Announce Legislation to Restore Planned Parenthood Funding
Endorsed by Planned Parenthood & more than 130 original cosponsors
Above: Friedman with Planned Parenthood representatives, volunteers, and West Hollywood City Councilmembers.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — Today, August 7, 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30), patients, leaders of local Planned Parenthoods, and healthcare providers gathered to announce the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act. Friedman’s new, bicameral legislation would repeal Republicans’ recently enacted ban on Medicaid reimbursements for services provided at Planned Parenthood clinics. This bill is a critical step to protect vital and affordable healthcare services that so many Americans depend on.
A recording of the announcement can be found here, here, and here.
Friedman’s legislation is supported by 134 Members of Congress and endorsed by Planned Parenthood alongside 14 additional organizations.
“Cancer screenings, STI prevention and detection services, vaccines, prenatal care – those are just some of the critical, life-saving services that Planned Parenthood providers all across the country provide in addition to reproductive care. It is vital healthcare – period. That’s why I’m proud to lead this legislation to protect access to healthcare millions of Americans rely on,” said Representative Friedman (CA-30). “When the Republicans passed their Big, Bad Bill with this ugly Medicaid ban in it, they weren’t just hurting women, they were condemning Americans to higher healthcare costs and less access to healthcare.”
“PPLA provided more than 260,000 patient visits last year for birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, abortion and more. The need for that care hasn’t changed with the signing of this bill. Our doors stay open. We’re going to fight for everyone’s ability to get the sexual and reproductive health care they need, regardless of their income or insurance coverage,” said Claudia Estrada Powell, Interim Director of Community Engagement and Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.
The Restoring Essential Healthcare Act has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Center for Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Freedom Caucus, All* Above All, Guttmacher Institute, National Abortion Federation, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Power to Decide.
The legislation is led by Friedman (CA-30), Nikema Williams (GA-5), Chris Pappas (NH-1) in the House, alongside U.S. Senators Tina Smith (MN) and Patty Murray (WA) in the Senate. Cosponsors include Williams*, Pappas*, Auchincloss, Balint, Barragán, Bell, Beyer, Bonamici, Brownley, Budzinski, Carbajal, Carson, Case, Casten, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Clarke, Cohen, Correa, Craig, Crockett, Davids, Davis, DelBene, Deluzio, Dexter, Doggett, Elfreth, Espaillat, Evans, Fletcher, Foushee, Garamendi, Goldman, Gottheimer, Horsford, Huffman, Ivey, Jacobs, Jackson, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Liccardo, Lieu, Lynch, Matsui, McBath, McClellan, McIver, Menendez, Meng, Min, Morelle, Morrison, Moulton, Nadler, Norton, Olszewski, Panetta, Pelosi, Peters, Pingree, Pocan, Quigley, Ramirez, Randall, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Sewell, Sherman, Sherrill, Simon, Stevens, Strickland, Sykes, Thanedar, Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Trahan, Underwood, Velázquez, Watson Coleman.
Friedman was joined by Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Interim Director of Community Engagement and Public Affairs Claudia Estrada Powell, and Sr. Manager of Public Affairs Jamie Kennerk, as well as West Hollywood City Vice Mayor John Heilman and City Councilmember John Erickson as she made her announcement.
Below: Friedman announces major legislation to restore Planned Parenthood funding.
Below: Claudia Estrada Powell of Planned Parenthood LA speaking at the podium.
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