Planned Parenthood attacks Ryan, speech to Values Voters

Planned Parenthood's political arm slammed Paul Ryan after the GOP vice-presidential candidate spoke to religious conservatives at the Values Voter Summit.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) Vice President Dawn Laguens dismissed Ryan's visit to the gathering as the "Republican ticket mingling with politicians and figureheads whose politics and priorities are out of touch with women."

The family-planning organization has found a prominent role in presidential politics as debates over women's health remain in the headlines. Planned Parenthood has also sought to defend its public funding amid attacks from House Republicans, who see the group as an "abortion business," over the last two years. 

Rep. Ryan (R-Wis.) said Friday that President Obama has given up any "pretense of moderation" on the issue of abortion, and that his administration's birth control coverage mandate is an "insult to every religious group."

In a statement, Laguens hits back, calling access to free birth control a "critical health and economic concern for women."

"This isn’t a religious or political issue — it’s a medical issue, and that’s where we should keep it," Laguens said.

Some Republicans have proposed to counter the mandate with measures to allow businesspeople an exemption for any government mandate that runs contrary to their faith. 

Laguens denounced this kind of policy.

"Bosses inserting themselves into the personal medical decisions of their employees … could have dangerous implications for millions of women and families," she said.

According to the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), 47 million women would lose no-copay birth control coverage if the healthcare law is repealed. 2.2 million, meanwhile, would lose their access to birth control if Congress pulls public funding for Planned Parenthood, according to a fact sheet from the group.

The Values Voter Summit takes place through Sunday in Washington, D.C.

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