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...
