Pro-Choice Lawmakers Defeat Bid to Block Family-Planning Funds

Washington, D.C. – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, lauded pro-choice members of Congress today for defeating an amendment from Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) that would cut funding for family-planning clinics that provide women with birth control. 

Pence tried to limit contraceptive services by offering an amendment disqualifying Planned Parenthood from participating in the Title X family-planning program. For many women, particularly those who do not qualify for Medicaid and those who have no health insurance, Title X clinics provide the only basic health care that they receive.
 
“Rep. Pence launched a direct attack on birth control,” Keenan said.  “The hypocrisy is twofold.  On one hand, anti-choice politicians want to block women’s access to contraception, which is the best way to reduce the need for abortion.  In addition, as Americans call on Congress to do something about the nation’s health-care crisis, Rep. Pence and his cronies are trying to deny even more Americans’ access to medical services.  We’re glad that this new Congress defeated such an ill-advised proposal, but the vote was still too close.  We made gains in the last election, but pro-choice Americans need to know that we must add to our numbers to block other outrageous amendments like Rep. Pence’s.”

The Pence amendment is a thinly disguised attack on contraception.  Planned Parenthood operates 575 clinics, of 4,600 total health centers that receive Title X funds.  Disqualifying these health clinics from Title X would disrupt the program entirely - which unfortunately is the sponsor's likely goal.  President Bush has tried to level-fund the Title X program for the last six years, and under anti-choice control, Congress usually followed his lead. This year, for the first time in years, the House bill recommends an increase for the family-planning program.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032