Planned Parenthood president says GOP men are trying to turn back clock on women's rights, health

By Ramsey Cox - 09/05/12 08:09 PM ET

The president of Planned Parenthood said the GOP House has taken aim at women’s health.

“Two years ago, when John Boehner, Paul Ryan, Todd Akin and the Tea Party took control of the House of Representatives, they promised to create jobs and jump-start the economy. But, instead, on day one, they came after women's health.

"And they haven't let up since. They voted to end cancer screenings and well-woman visits for five million women, end funding for birth control at Planned Parenthood, and for good measure, they even tried to redefine rape,” Cecile Richards said Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention. “And now, Mitt Romney is campaigning to get rid of Planned Parenthood and overturn Roe v. Wade. This year women learned that if we aren't at the table, we're on the menu. So this November, women are organizing, mobilizing and voting for the leaders who fight for us.”

Richards enthusiastically said she is supporting President Obama’s reelection and accused GOP nominee Mitt Romney of trying to roll back the clock on women’s rights and health.

“So why are we having to fight in 2012 against politicians who want to end access to birth control? It's like we woke up in a bad episode of 'Mad Men,' ” Richards said. “Because when Mitt Romney says he'll ‘get rid of’ Planned Parenthood, and turn the clock back on a century of progress, it has real consequences for the three million patients who depended on Planned Parenthood last year.

“Romney and Ryan are campaigning for women's votes by saying, ‘Women need our help.’ This is coming from two men who are committed to ending insurance coverage for birth control. Who would turn women's healthcare decisions over to our bosses. And who won't even stand up for equal pay for women. As my grandmother back in Texas would have said about any more help from Mitt Romney, ‘I'm going to have to take in ironing.’ "

Richards said Obama has shown his support for women’s issues by passing the Affordable Care Act, which increases women’s health insurance coverage.

“Back in Texas, we say that you dance with them what brung you,” Richards said. “President Obama brought women to this dance and we're staying with him all the way through November!”