SHAHEEN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST PROPOSED CUTS TO TITLE X AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING

As prepared for delivery:

"We're here today to send a message to House Republicans - attacks on women's reproductive health care are unacceptable. 

"Whether it is a budget proposal that eliminates Title Ten funding or an amendment that attacks Planned Parenthood, House Republicans have shown that ideological extremism is their top priority.  It's not the deficit. It's not jobs.

And let's be clear - Title Ten has nothing to do with abortion.

"This is an unacceptable assault on women's health.

"Title Ten funding provides reproductive health services to women who otherwise could not access these services. This includes contraceptives, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases, and screenings for breast and cervical cancer.

In New Hampshire, 28 clinics receive Title Ten funds.  This includes community health centers, health department clinics, and hospital outpatient clinics, as well as Planned Parenthood.

"Planned Parenthood's six clinics served over 15,000 patients last year in New Hampshire alone. In some parts of my state, Planned Parenthood is the only provider of these preventive services to low-income women.

"We all know how important preventive care is. Detecting breast and cervical cancer early through regular screening greatly increases the chances of survival and the quality of life. And in the long run, it is vastly cheaper for the patient, the health care system, and the federal government - and for all of us who have private health insurance.

"House Republicans colleagues have shown their hand -they are going to look for any and every opportunity to diminish women's access to health care.  We're here today to send a message - that we plan to protect women's health every step of the way.  So, let's get back to the people's business of creating jobs and getting the economy moving - that's what the American people want us to focus on."