Anti-choice Politicians tried and failed at the federal level to deny funds for life-saving cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and affordable birth control to Planned Parenthood.  But now they’ve brought the fight here to North Carolina.

The NC Legislature is for the first time in more than 100 years in the hands of Republicans.  Those swept into power in 2010 on a mandate to create jobs and get our economy on the right track have wasted little time in their attempts to roll back rights.  Rollbacks in everything from restricting voting rights and local government control to women’s rights to reproductive care.

And in a nod to the federal debate, state Republicans have attached a “special provision”  to the state budget which bans Planned Parenthood from receiving any funds from the state.    There are so many reasons why this provision is unjust, here are my top four:

1) This has ZERO impact on the budget.  The special provision doesn’t save the state any money.  Most of the money it is barring us from receiving is federal money that is administered by the state, like Title X.  Title X pays for low-income women and men to get cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and birth control.

2) No other organization is singled out and banned from contracting with the state.

3) There is a shortage of providers for these services.  Call your local health department and see how long the wait is for a family planning appointment.  In Cumberland County it’s six weeks.  In Wake County it’s twelve weeks.

4)  This ban will cut funding for science-based teen preganancy prevention programs like our TEEN CONNECTIONS program in Fayetteville.  Every dollar spent on prevention saves the state four dollars.

Bottom line, this is not a budget issue, this is a politically-motivated ideologocial statement against a single organization which will affect thousands of North Carolina’s poorest citizens.  And as Representative Diane Parfitt stated, ” This is bad politics and bad policy- bad for women and families in North Carolina, and bad for the long-term health of our economy” 

Watch the full NC Democratic Caucus press conference on the budget.  Rep. Diane Parfitt’s defense of Planned Parenthood begins at 9:33.

WE GOT TO FIGHT!

Call Speaker Thom Tillis.   Reach his office at 919.733.3451.  Tell him “ I support women’s health and Planned Parenthood.  I strongly oppose the provision to bar Planned Parenthood from funding as it saves the state ZERO dollars and I urge you to oppose it as well.”

PINK FLASH MOB! Every Wednesday we need to pack the General Assembly.  Our opponents need to see us and hear from us and so do our champions.  Pro-choice champions like Reps. Verla Insko and Diane Parfitt worked hard to try and get this provision out or amended and they need to see and hear us as well.  Check out our event and sign up to join us.  Here we are this past Wednesday confronting Representative Nelson Dollar:

Sign the I Stand with Planned Parenthood petition and share it with your friends.

Together, we will work to defeat this ban. 

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