Posted on 06/09/2005 10:47:58 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
In a move hailed by abortion rights foes, Republican lawmakers early today approved a measure that would shift state and federal family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood and other groups that support abortion rights.
On a 11-5 vote shortly after midnight, the Joint Finance Committee voted to give preference to local health departments - and not private agencies such as Planned Parenthood - in getting family planning funds that are administered by the state.
Only one Republican - Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills - voted against the measure. All four Democrats on the committee - Reps. Mark Pocan of Madison and Pedro Colon of Milwaukee, and Sens. Russ Decker of Schofield and Lena Taylor of Milwaukee - voted against it.
Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, sponsored the measure, which still must be passed by the full Legislature as part of the new state budget. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, an abortion rights advocate, has not indicated yet whether he would veto the amendment.
Lazich argued that the proposal simply gives counties the choice to apply for family planning funds. But Susan Armacost, chief lobbyist for Wisconsin Right to Life, said she expects that it will force Planned Parenthood to close some of its clinics around the state.
"It's still great progress because county health departments will be given first preference," Armacost said.
Pocan called the measure "political pork for the right wing. The bottom line is this is nothing more than an attempt to stop organizations like Planned Parenthood and others that provide comprehensive family planning services." He added that the proposal would threaten 53 family planning agencies in the state and jeopardize the health of more than 32,000 women who depend on those agencies.
The committee stopped short of approving what critics described as a "gag rule" that would have removed abortion from the list of alternatives that family planning clinics could legally discuss with pregnant women.
Opponents warned that such a move could lead to the loss of tens of millions of dollars in federal funds, which require such options to be presented to women.
The committee's co-chairman, Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, said Republicans wanted to "send a message" by shifting the money from private groups to public health agencies, but did not want to do anything that could lead to the loss of federal funds.
Neither the Governor's Office nor Planned Parenthood could be reached for comment this morning.
"Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, an abortion rights advocate, has not indicated yet whether he would veto the amendment."
"Opponents warned that such a move could lead to the loss of tens of millions of dollars in federal funds, which require such options to be presented to women."
Too bad people don't think the life of a baby is worth saving for tax dollars. Our government is so @ss-backwards!
Condoms will go UP in Wisconsin!
"The bottom line is this is nothing more than an attempt to stop organizations like Planned Parenthood and others that provide comprehensive family planning services." He added that the proposal would threaten 53 family planning agencies in the state and jeopardize the health of more than 32,000 women who depend on those agencies."
Who says there's no good news!!!
"Bias in the first sentence:abortion rights foes"
"Pro-abortion cheerleaders" right back at them. As in "what gets me is, these pro-abortion cheerleaders are invariably against the death penalty. They're utterly conflicted. They could at least TRY to be consistent."
That one always merits a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, LOL.
Why does a private firm that grosses nearly a Billion dollars a year need taxpayer funding?
"Why does a private firm that grosses nearly a Billion dollars a year need taxpayer funding?"
Because it's the "progressive" thing to do?
Progressive, sure, right into hell.
Way to go!!!
Missouri is trying to get a refund of $600,000 paided to Planned Parenthood for family planning.
Here we have been delaying payments to schools and delaying tax refunds because of budget shortfalls while they are paying Planned Parenthood all that money.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.