Yesterday, State Senate Candidate John Macco publicly claimed he would not cut cancer screenings for women while privately has promised Pro-Life Wisconsin that he backs ending funding for breast and cervical cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment and access to birth control at Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. Macco also mistakenly stated that women have lots of options for cancer screenings and referrals. The truth is that Planned Parenthood is one of very few health care providers in Wisconsin who provide breast and cervical cancer screenings for women regardless of their ability to pay. In fact, Planned Parenthood is Wisconsin’s oldest and most trusted non-profit reproductive health care provider that serves 1 in 5 women in their lifetime and over 80,000 in Wisconsin last year alone. 

“Mr. Macco demonstrated how out of touch he is with the women in his community, nearly 3000 of whom rely on Planned Parenthood in the Green Bay area for access to lifesaving cancer screenings and referral care,” said Tanya Atkinson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. “There are 280,000 women of reproductive age in Wisconsin that need access to publicly subsidized health care, many of whom are underinsured and rely on Planned Parenthood for quality essential health care. We just heard recently that under Gov. Walker, Wisconsin’s uninsured rate has grown to 10.4%.” 

“As a breast cancer survivor I know how important affordable access to timely cancer screenings and referrals are for women’s survival,” said Edna V. “80,000 Wisconsin women every year rely on Planned Parenthood for access to cervical and breast cancer screenings, and other essential health care services. For these women, Planned Parenthood is a lifeline and it is inconceivable that politicians would work to eliminate this valuable health care resource.” 

While disheartening, we hope that Macco’s opposition to Planned Parenthood’s life saving services serves as a wakeup call to women and their families who value this health care to get out and vote in support of candidates who will support the women’s access to essential health care services. 

Planned Parenthood also reminds women that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is critical get screened for breast cancer or cervical cancer. Please watch our latest ad campaign aimed at reminding women the importance of catching cancer early. Call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment today. 

Background: 

• John Macco has been endorsed by Pro-life Wisconsin, where he agreed to “vote in favor of legislation that prohibits state funding for organizations such as Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin”. 
• State and federal law prevent public funding for abortions. Wis. Stat. 20.9275 
• The only public funding Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin receives is for cervical