On February 18, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to withdraw federal funding of Planned Parenthood as part of a larger bill to cut government spending. If this bill passes the Senate, all funding for Planned Parenthood services such as birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving care will be terminated. Planned Parenthood would lose $363 million in federal funding.
Our elected representatives are facing difficult choices as they try to balance the budget. There are many competing needs, but there are also forces that are taking advantage of the budget challenges to undermine the reproductive rights of women. Planned Parenthood provides free or low cost health services for women across America. As part of comprehensive reproductive health services, they also provide abortion services. However, no federal money is used to provide abortion services, yet targeting Planned Parenthood for budget cuts is an easy target for the anti-choice members of Congress.
When the spouse and I first married, we were poor college students. We didn't have medical insurance. Planned Parenthood was the resource I used for reproductive health care. Not only did I receive knowledgeable, professional medical care, but I also got my birth control pills for free. If you're poor, birth control can be a luxury. I was so grateful for Planned Parenthood.
All women deserve access to quality reproductive health care that is non-biased. Reduction of federal funding to Planned Parenthood jeopardizes that access for millions of women. I live in a rural area, yet there is a Planned Parenthood facility 30 miles from my house.
Day in and day out Planned Parenthood is providing critical health care services for families who have no other alternatives. That is why federal funding must be sustained. Now is not the time to play politics with health care funding.
If you are concerned about this issue, let your elected representatives know. Sign the open letter to the representatives who voted for this bill, and to the senators who still have a chance to stop it. You can find a link to the letter at the Planned Parenthood website at
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/index.htm
I stand with Planned Parenthood. I hope you will too.
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