A couple of weeks ago we let you know about the attacks against Planned Parenthood among the anti-choice community and in Congress (in this case, one and the same). 
 

Rep. Mike Pence’s (R- IN) “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” was a perfect example of the dangers of putting people with personal and political vendettas in power. This bill would passed the House last Friday with a vote of 240-185 (roll call vote here: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll093.xml)

Title X (ten) funding is often misunderstood, especially if you happen to hold a seat in Congress. Title X simply provides basic, primary and preventative health care to low-income, uninsured women. Services include family planning, STI testing, HIV testing, lifesaving cancer screenings, and annual exams. What Title X funds do NOT provide is abortion care as this would be in direct violation of the Hyde Amendment which has been federal law for more 40 years and prohibits federal monies to be used to help fund abortion. (This is true regardless of suggestions to the contrary on the House Floor.)

As a recipient of Title X funding, Planned Parenthood provides this primary and preventative care to millions of low-income women across the country every year. The Pence bill, should it become law, would strip Planned Parenthood of all Title X funding. Those who authored the legislation and later voted for it have, to my knowledge; given no suggestion as to where the millions of low-income women who depend on Planned Parenthood as their primary health care provider might go for these services should Planned Parenthood be de-funded.

For people who claim to hate abortion, these same elected officials are doing an awful lot of work to make sure that the number of unintended pregnancies increases by cutting off family planning services to millions of women. Rest-assured this also does nothing to create jobs, reduce the deficit or improve the economy… you know, the issues that politicians actually ran on last election.

Still, the debate in the House did not pass without its heroes (heroines). Rep. Jackie Speier and Rep. Gwen Moore both gave inspiring floor speeches choosing to stand with Planned Parenthood. The House sat in stunned silence as Speier courageously shared the story of her own abortion. Moore took to the floor to describe her own struggles as a teen parent and the benefit of Planned Parenthood in communities across the country. You can read about their floor speeches and see clips of them here.

Now you can stand with Planned Parenthood, too! This fight moves to the Senate where, for the sake of the women that depend on us everyday, we MUST prevail. Visit http://www.istandwithplannedparenthood.org/ to tell Congress that you stand with Planned Parenthood!

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