Posted on 03/16/2012 5:57:56 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
The federal government will phase out funding to Texas for a key women's health program, calling a transition period necessary to ensure that low-income clients don't abruptly lose access to screenings and contraceptives.
Money for the Medicaid Women's Health Program is cut off because the state exclude clinics affiliated with abortion, even if the clinics "don't provide abortions." The federal government says that's not allowed.
The ban notably affects Planned Parenthood.
Gov. Rick Perry promised anew that the state will pick up the cost of the program, in which nearly 130,000 Texas women are enrolled. Where that money will come from is unclear.
Texas was expected to get about $29.8 million from Washington this fiscal year for the program, with the state paying the remaining $3.3 million.
How much the federal government will end up paying under the phase-out plan is uncertain.
Time to find alternative
Stephanie Goodman of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said Planned Parenthood clinics can see women enrolled in the program until April 30 under the transition plan, but some may choose to stop before that.
Some officials - including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and state Rep. Garnet Coleman, both Houston Democrats - applauded the phase-out period, saying it gives them time to try to find alternatives.
Rochelle Tafolla, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, confirmed Thursday that as a result of the new plan, the organization will now see patients through the end of April.
The extension is the Houston-area organization's second this week. On Monday, officials announced they would continue seeing program patients through the end of March, a change from the previous plan to end services on March 14.
Tafolla, who said the organization will start contacting patients about the additional time Friday, was restrained about the development.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Gov’t money is a powerful drug. It’s good to get off of it.
The Barry Administration hates women.
There is no doubt Barry hates children.
0bama hates Texas.
The feeling is mutual.
That Gov Rick Perry, is really a no good. I’m so glad he was hated here and that he is not running for President. Would have made a lousy President!
We’re not keen on him here in Okieland either, but I hear he is coming for a visit. Hope he doesn’t stay long. I figure he must be going to attend a fundraiser sponsored by George Kaiser, who benefited so handsomely from Solyndra.
Cancer care for women stopped by Obama.
Proof that its never been about health care its about one issue only.
They will stop cancer treatments for women in Texas to get that one thing.
"Why should they tell me where I need to go, or where I can't go?" she asked. "I've been perfectly fine and well taken care of at Planned Parenthood."
Wait till you've got nobama care sweetie.
I think Texas should set the example, and refuse to accept a penny of federal money, and thus be under the fed’s thumb at least for the requirements that come with accepting money from Uncle Sam.
Texas can make up for the funding difference by levying a severance tax on refined petroleum products and taxing oil and gas at the wellhead.
Take your time Perry, we ain’t in no kind of hurry to pick up the cost for anyone else’s “recreational services”. I would rather spend what little free money I have on my own recreation.
If your a legislation in Texas Don’t support picking up the costs, if a woman in Texas wants to have careless sex let her and her partner bare the FULL costs of the consequences.
Not one dime of Texas tax payer money should go to kill an unborn child. Let it be stated clearly thou-out the land that if you want the state to pay for a killing the one being killed has to be either convicted of a crime or engaged in a criminal act. Pregnancy is NOT a criminal act!
And any freeloader that wishes to claim otherwise is free to LEAVE THE STATE! With all due hast please!
“I think Texas should set the example, and refuse to accept a penny of federal money, and thus be under the fed’s thumb at least for the requirements that come with accepting money from Uncle Sam.”
I think Texas should take every penny it can get back from Washington and just weezel its way out of complying with the Federal mandates.
Them penny’s are TEXAS tax dollars stolen from the hardworking pockets of Texas citizens!
Do what Perry did, tell Washington want ever they want to hear to get the money back then run! Also never hesitate to complain about the corrupt situation & process and campaign to get.
We should not have to wezel and cheat to get OUR money back. That money came from Texas It should never have left Texas in the first place.
We Texans elect our own government to do our bidding, we don’t need Washington D.C. Hijacking OUR duly elected State government.
Yes Perry do what you do best, wezle that money back into our hands then stab the Feds in the back!
Women’s Health Program participant Julisa McCoy of McAllen, a 23-year-old student at the University of Texas- Pan American, said she trusts Planned Parenthood’s services to keep her “safe and healthy” as she lives on a limited budget.
“Why should they tell me where I need to go, or where I can’t go?” she asked. “I’ve been perfectly fine and well taken care of at Planned Parenthood.”
****************************************
She and other women can STILL go to PP if they choose to. The only difference is that Texas will no longer give taxpayers’ dollars to help fund PP because of their continuing practice of offering abortions.
The Federal government currently provides about 1/3 of the PP’s funding, to the tune of about $362 million per year.
Here’s an idea, Governor Perry. How ‘bout Texas seceding?
Because that would just result in another civil war which Texas would lose. According to the Texas Constitution, Texas DOES NOT have the Constitutional right to secede from the Union as is popularly believed. Perry's earlier assertion notwithstanding.
Where in the constitution does it say a state can NOT secede? Jefferson thought states had the right to leave anytime they wanted.
Second, who said anything about a civil war? Just leave the union. Of course, if obama is anything like Lincoln and invades Texas, well, that’s a different discussion.
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.