Because we spoke so loudly, opponents of reproductive health access demonized and smeared me and others on the public airwaves. These smears are obvious attempts to distract from meaningful policy discussions and to silence women's voices regarding their own health care.

Several opinion writers have remarked that the continuing criticism of Fluke has served to revisit the Limbaugh controversy and change the topic of debate to reproductive issues. The exception applied to church organizations themselves but not to affiliated nonprofit corporations such as hospitals which do not rely primarily on members of the faith as employees. Her speech was criticized by opponents as an example of the Democrats' desire to avoid focusing on the economy and catering to its base most notably by congressman Joe Walsh of Illinois.

Commenting on her statements at that hearing Rush Limbaugh a talk show host made inflammatory comments about Fluke on his talk show consisting of speculation and slurs regarding her sex life. Fluke first came to attention in the United States in February 2012 when Republicans refused to allow her to testify to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the importance of requiring insurance plans to cover birth control during a discussion on whether insurance should have a contraception mandate. She later spoke to only House Democratic members.