Hundreds of Eugeneans gathered Feb. 23 the protest the Republican-led House vote to de-fund Title X, the federal government’s grant program devoted to family planning and health services. The loss of Title X funds could force the 23,783 women who received Title-X funded health care through Planned Parenthood to do without STI screening, annual exams and contraception.

Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and Congressman Peter DeFazio spoke at the rally. Piercy, who served on the board of Planned Parenthood, urged the protesters to find ways to support the program in the wake of legislative attacks. “Planned Parenthood serves us all but they also serve those who have the least access to services,” Piercy said.

DeFazio criticized cuts to health services while agricultural subsidies and tax credits to large corporations continued untouched. “It isn’t just an attack on the health of women, it’s an attack on the health of America,” DeFazio said. “I do not believe that the majority of the American people support the attack on women’s rights and women’s health.”

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