The Trump, administration issued a rule that money provided for the federal family planning program cannot be used by any organization that refers women to doctors who perform abortions. Planned Parenthood receives about $60 million in federal funds annually. This has permitted the group to provide birth control, pregnancy tests, and screening for breast and cervical cancer to many poor women. In some rural areas Planned Parenthood is the only agency that provides such services.
Planned Parenthood had a choice. Accept the money along with the gag order, or reject the money and forego the care. It rejected the money. I don’t see how it had any other option. Roe v. Wade has not been overturned. Abortion is legal. And this Administration once again puts political considerations above the health and safety of women.
The info for this post comes from Pam Belluck, “Planned Parenthood Opts Out Over Trump Rule,” New York Times, (Aug. 20, 2019), pp. A1, A14. The editorial opinion is mine.
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