Posted on 02/24/2012 5:11:07 PM PST by SeekAndFind
At CPAC, Texas Gov. Rick Perry quipped, “I haven’t left the fight; I just went home, reloaded my Mag and am fighting on a different front.” Clearly, he wasn’t kidding. Texas today cut Medicaid funding to abortion providers — even though the administration threatened to cut the state’s funding if it did so. The Daily Caller reports:
On Thursday, Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Thomas Suehs signed a rule at the behest of lawmakers and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott that will formally ban Planned Parenthood affiliates and other abortion providers from participating in Texas’ Women’s Health Program.
The administration had threatened to revoke federal funding from the state-federal Medicaid program if Texas went through with the ban.
“The Obama administration is trying to force Texas to violate our own state laws or they will end a program that provides preventative health care to more than 100,000 Texas women,” said Allison Castle, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Perry told The Texas Tribune. “This boils down to the rule of law — which the state of Texas respects and the Obama administration does not.”
The ball is back in the administration’s court now: Does Obama want to actually cut funding and potentially jeopardize the Texas Women’s Health program, which might not be able to survive without federal funding? That sends the message that Obama cares less that women have access to health care than that they receive health care from certain providers — namely, providers that also offer abortions.
Either Rick Perry just called Obama’s bluff or this is about to be an interesting issue. Planned Parenthood has already retorted with its typical demagoguery: “No one’s politics should interfere with a woman’s access to health care,” Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast President and CEO Peter J. Durkin said in a statement. “It is shameful that Governor Perry and Commissioner Suehs continue to politicize lifesaving breast cancer screenings and birth control access for low-income women.”
Would Planned Parenthood stand by that statement as it applies to President Obama, too? Surely other providers in the Texas Women’s Health Exchange provide breast cancer screenings and birth control access. Eliminating abortion providers from the exchange doesn’t jeopardize women’s health access — but eliminating the exchange altogether would. It’s obvious why Planned Parenthood would care more about which organization women turn to — they’ve got a business to run. Why don’t they just admit that and stop the rhetoric about “women’s health”?
Maybe. Then again, Texas could just double down and cease participation in ALL welfare programs. Replace all forms of state assistance to the poor with a program to provide the underclass with one-way bus tickets to DC.
Well it isn't just me then is it? That "little issue" killed his campaign cold.
Just because no one is running on a particular issue doesn't mean it isn't important.
The days of Texas Governors becoming President are over, because of that "little issue".
OK. I’ll help ease your worried mind:
Rick Perry will have no influence in this race against zero. It’s all over for him.
-sleep well
I’m really encouraging conservatives to start pondering who their (living) ideal presidential candidate would be, and just as importantly, why?
Remember back when parents used to encourage their children by saying that they might grow up someday to become president? That time is now.
Their nation needs them. Their party needs them.
But first we must know who they are.
No,seriously,fence off your state and turn it into a gulag. Get back to us and tell us how it turned out.
Waaaaaah....Y E S!!!
So should the whole country! He’s a MAN!
The country missed out on a strong conservative leader. I hope we get a second chance.
When that happened, I remember feeling hopeless. And very bad for Governor Perry----I'm sure he was counting on their support.
I do, too. Texas needs him for governor right now. :)
Perry as Newt’s VP insures 16 years of conservative control of the WH. The SRM will have been pruned off in the first four.
We just have to stay focused. Romney’s establishment helium tank is out of gas, Paul’s cratering earlier than I hoped.
If Santorum’s mo is real, then he’ll win it and I’ll be happy with it. But he’ll be a one-termer, too so we’ll be doing this all over again in ‘16.
My sentiments too, smoothsailing.
Fine by me, but would Rick go for it? If I was the Governor of Texas, I sure wouldn't.
well you didn’t have to twist!
Way to go, Perry!!!
Great graphics SS!
Yes, I miss him. He’s a good man and had the abilities we need right now. Good to ‘see’ you!
It’s not too late for him to enter the race...as VP! I would love to see that!
Omigosh!
That is A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!
I love it.
Hi sooothsailing and all the “Perrywinkles!!”
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.