TO THE EDITOR:
Two bills currently sit in the House of Representatives, Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (H.R. 217), and No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3). This week the House will vote on legislation that could significantly cut family planning services and basic health care from Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide. The bills aim to restrict federal funding from any organizations that perform abortions. However, current law already restricts federal funds from being used on abortion services.
Thirty-three percent of Planned Parenthood’s current funding comes from government grants. If the pending legislation passes, the organization will lose more than $70 million in annual funding. Although these bills are aimed at restricting abortion services, abortion services account for only 3 percent of the services at Planned Parenthood. Almost 70 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services go toward contraceptive services and STI/STD testing and treatment.
Planned Parenthood delivers health care to more than 3 million patients a year in more than 800 clinics. About two-thirds of its patients lack health coverage, and 85 percent of Planned Parenthood patients live at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
The passing of the pending legislation would restrict millions of women from receiving birth control, regular exams, HIV tests, prenatal care and other necessary health care. I urge you to contact your representatives and ask them to vote against legislation that would restrict funding from Planned Parenthood.
Bethany Hargis
Junior
Political Science
