President Obama addressed 1,200 attendees at Planned Parenthood Fedration of America's annual conference on Friday, celebrating the organization's efforts to provide quality health care to women and reaffirming his support of womens' rights to abortion.

Nearly 100 years nurse Margaret Sanger opened its first clinic in Brooklyn, Planned Parenthood has grown into a national network of 750 health centers, providing primary preventative and reproductive health services. About 1 in 5 American women will turn to Planned Parenthood for their services in their lifetime.

Because Planned Parenthood is a well-known abortion provider, it has been the target of funding cuts by those who oppose a woman's right to choose. State funding cuts supported by Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin forced many clinics to close in recent weeks. Republic lawmakers earlier this year urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit Planned Parenthood's finances, to ensure that no federal taxpayer money went to funding abortions.

"And when [politicians] talk about cutting off your funding, let’s be clear: They’re talking about telling many of those women, you’re on your own." Obama said in his address. "They’re talking about shutting those women out at a time when they may need it most — shutting off communities that need more health care options for women, not less."

Obama criticized legislative efforts in 42 states to limit women's access to abortion services. He singled out a North Dakota bill which restricts abortion to the first six weeks of pregnancy, during which many women do not realize they are pregnant. The law has no exceptions for unintended pregnancies resulting from rape.

"So the fact is, after decades of progress, there’s still those who want to turn back the clock to policies more suited to the 1950s than the 21st century," said Pres. Obama, referring to the era before the passage of Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that ensured a woman's right to choose. "And they’ve been involved in an orchestrated and historic effort to roll back basic rights when it comes to women’s health."

Abortions constitute only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood's services. An estimated 90 percent of Planned Parenthood's work is in preventative primary care, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, as well as testing and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases.

Obama recognized the organization's commitment to providing primary care, and took the opportunity to connect Planned Parenthood's mission with that of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Because of the ACA, insurance companies must provide contraceptives, mammograms, and other primary women's health services with no extra co-pays or out-of-pocket costs.

“President Obama has done more than any president in history for women’s health and rights,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We are at a pivotal moment for women’s health in America, facing unprecedented attacks in the states at the same time that we have tremendous opportunities to expand access to health care for millions more people under the Affordable Care Act.”

Obama closed his remarks by affirming his support for Planned Parenthood, women's healthcare, and a woman's right to choose.

"As long as we've got to fight to make sure women have access to quality, affordable health care, and as long as we've got to fight to protect a woman's right to make her own choices about her own health, I want you to know that you've also got a President who's going to be right there with you fighting every step of the way."

To watch the President’s speech, click here.