Obama bars states from withholding federal funds from Planned Parenthood
Just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump administration, the Obama administration issued a final rule to bar states from withholding federal funds from Planned Parenthood affiliates and other clinics that provide abortions.
The federal rule stipulates that no state can prohibit an organization from participating in the state-federal program Title X for any reason other than the organization’s ability to offer services. The Title X doles out millions of dollars annually for family planning.
It will prevent states from withholding federal funding from Planned Parenthood, which offers a range of health-care services, mainly to low-income women. The money can’t be used for abortions, but the organization has repeatedly been criticized by some conservative lawmakers because it does offer the controversial procedure at some of its clinics.
Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and abortion rights groups have praised the Obama administration’s action but they also raised concern that the next administration could reverse it.
When asked for a comment, Richards said, “President Obama has cemented his legacy as a champion for women’s health. This rule protects birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and other health care for millions of people. Yet this fight is not over.”
Trump has pledged to support efforts to cut off federal funding to Planned Parenthood so long as it offers abortions. Rep. Tom Price, who has recently been nominated by Trump as his health & human services secretary, is antiabortion and he has vowed to support measures to defund Planned Parenthood.
Personen:
Generell:
Kompanie: