Assembly to vote on taking away Planned Parenthood money

The debate comes as Republicans who control the Legislature struggle over separate legislation that would ban research using fetal tissue from abortions. “Rather, it is an attempt to make sure that taxpayer funding is instead provided to other healthcare providers that retain the trust and confidence of our citizens”. They say public money shouldn’t go to the state’s largest abortion provider for any goal.

House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, sent a letter to DHHR Secretary Karen Bowling asking her to provide “detailed information” about any payments made to Planned Parenthood, and for her “assistance in determining what steps can be taken to ensure that Planned Parenthood does not receive future funding from the state”.

Federal law requires Title X money be spent on family planning and contraceptives, screening for breast and cervical cancer and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Planned Parenthood in Wisconsin would no longer be eligible for about $3.5 million a year in federal funding under a bill before the state Assembly.

If those funds were withdrawn, Planned Parenthood would not be “destroyed” as some people fear.

Planned Parenthood has come under fire in recent weeks after videos were released appearing to show doctors discussing the harvesting and sale of body parts of aborted babies. The Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition said in a statement this week that the measure could keep women from getting health care.

If that inspection indicates any problems, Planned Parenthood officials then recommend that women go elsewhere for a valid medical exam. So what does Planned Parenthood get out of offering those “exams” other than a public relations claim?