Planned Parenthood Federation of America Calls on Governor Mitch Daniels to Veto Costly Legislation
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
New York — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) condemns the Indiana legislature for voting to put the health care of tens of thousands of women and families at risk by voting to bar Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) from receiving federal funds to provide preventive health services including birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and STI (including HIV) testing.
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Planned Parenthood Federation of America
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A bill that bars Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding to provide such services, HB 1210, passed the Indiana House today, after passing the Indiana Senate last week.
PPFA is calling on Governor Daniels to veto HB1210.
“Women’s health care is under an unprecedented attack across this country at both the federal and state levels, including Indiana. It is deeply disappointing that after the U.S. Senate defeated a proposal to bar Planned Parenthood from providing lifesaving health care by a 58-42 vote that Indiana lawmakers have decided to target Planned Parenthood and put the health of thousands of Hoosier women at risk,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “It’s time for Governor Daniels, who called for a truce on social issues, to stay true to his word. As he promised, Governor Daniels should fix the economy and veto this bill that is driven by a clear social agenda and will cost the taxpayers of Indiana money.”
This bill will eliminate the funding that pays for preventive health care for low-income women, such as lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, and STD testing and treatment.
Numerous reports have made it clear that not only would a provision to prohibit PPIN from receiving federal funds that pass through the state hurt patients, but it could also cost the state about $4 million in federal Medicaid family planning funds. Federal law prohibits states from picking and choosing which providers may offer family planning services to Medicaid patients. By violating that law, Indiana could jeopardize other federal money for other family planning providers.
In yet another example of politicians intruding into women’s personal lives and making unqualified medical decisions, the bill also includes provisions that would restrict women’s access to abortion at 20 weeks. Women facing medically complex pregnancies, which often threaten their health, would no longer have the ability to make private, personal medical decisions without government interference. This law limited abortions at 20 weeks based on assertions that are not supported by science.
“Hoosiers are angry and they are making themselves heard” said Planned Parenthood of Indiana President and CEO Betty Cockrum. “They do not like these attacks on women’s health in the Statehouse and they are standing with Planned Parenthood. Now it is up to the governor, and women across the state hope that he will do the right thing and veto this very bad bill.”
In recent days, there has been a substantial outcry against this bill. More than 140,000 letters were sent to state legislators and calls flooded the governor’s office as Planned Parenthood supporters spoke out against the pending legislation. Planned Parenthood has also run radio ads that tell the story of Courtney, a Planned Parenthood patient who sought care at Planned Parenthood for endometriosis, which can cause infertility.
Published
April 27, 2011
Source
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Contact
Planned Parenthood Federation of America media office: 212-261-4433
Published
April 27, 2011