Sebelius: GOP will harm women's health

CHICAGO (AP) — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is telling abortion rights advocates that Republicans want to roll back women's health gains 50 years.

Sebelius spoke Wednesday at a NARAL Pro-Choice America luncheon in Chicago. She says Republicans are not only working to repeal President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, they also want to take away benefits in Medicare, cut back Medicaid and eliminate health services provided by Planned Parenthood.

She says the national health law increases access to birth control, which she calls the single biggest step to reducing the number of abortions.

Sebelius says women have suffered discrimination by insurance companies that considered Viagra an essential medication but birth control a lifestyle choice. She says the Obama administration supports making family planning an essential benefit that insurers must cover.