Posted on 05/23/2003 7:10:49 AM PDT by Buffalo Bob
AUSTIN -- Abortion providers who also offer cancer screening and other preventive care services to thousands of poor women would lose all state funding under a measure budget writers adopted Thursday night.
The vote, six Republicans in favor to four Democrats opposed, came after some lawmakers expressed serious objections that poor women in many parts of Texas would have nowhere to turn for cancer and sexually transmitted disease screening.
Budget Conference Chairman Rep. Talmadge Heflin, R-Houston, said the purpose of the new budget measure is simple and clear. It is to limit abortions.
"If the contractor wishes to provide the (other health services), they stop doing abortions," he said. "There is absolutely nothing in the rider that reduces services to any provider that does not do abortions."
Of course we're disappointed," said Rebecca White, senior vice president of Planned Parenthood of Houston and the Southeast. "We know that tens of thousands of women will be displaced from their current medical home."
White predicted Planned Parenthood would lose as much as $3.5 million in the Houston area while statewide the organization would lose as much as $13 million. Earlier the group estimated 110,000 women could lose reproductive and family planning services as a result of the measure.
Sen. Steve Ogden, R-College Station, offered the budget rider, which would give providers a year to adjust to the change before funding is withdrawn.
White said Planned Parenthood plans to comply with any new rules the Texas Department of Heath issues while still trying to make abortions available. It was not clear whether the agency could offer abortions in some clinics and not in others.
"I think it's going to create more harm than good," said Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston.
Laredo Democrat Sen. Judith Zaffirini said she opposed the measure even though she considers herself against abortion.
"I still believe it is too far-reaching," she said, noting women would be denied far more than abortion services.
Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, also questioned the rider's impact, particularly in the Gulf Coast area.
"It would be bad in my judgment for health services to be lost," he said.
So, am I to understand that if the Gov't isn't paying for it, women will not have health services?
Geez, lady! You should think before you speak.
This a good example of an outright lie by Laredo Democrat Sen. Judith Zaffirini, and so dang typical. This article makes clear that only abortion providers will be cut off. These women can simply go elsewhere for these other services.
THAT is why they would rather not receive funding and close down their services vs. just stop offering abortions.
The Nazi Party, which offers excellent career opportunities to otherwise poor and downtrodden Aryans . . .
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