Pro-Life WI: State Assembly Passes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

via Pro-Life Wisconsin

State Assembly Passes Bill Defunding Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

They cannot be trusted, says Pro-Life Wisconsin

A bill diverting federal Title X Family Planning funds away from Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) passed the State Assembly today. Assembly Bill (AB) 310 passed on a 60-35 vote.

“We thank Assembly Republicans for taking another bite out of Wisconsin’s abortion giant,” said PLW State Director Dan Miller. “Abortion is not healthcare. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, a non-profit organization with a net worth of over $10 million that profits from killing unborn babies, should not be considered a healthcare provider. Wisconsin cannot continue to throw money at organizations that perform abortions.”

Assembly Bill 310 would redirect federal Title X family planning funds away from organizations that perform abortions to public entities including state, county, and local health departments and clinics. Currently, $3.5 million annually in Title X funds are granted directly to PPWI as they are the sole applicant for the funds in Wisconsin. The legislation would require the state Department of Health Services to apply for the federal Title X grant and, if awarded the grant, give public health entities and programs first priority for funding. It would exclude organizations that provide abortion services from receiving any of the funds.

“Assembly Bill 310 respects the consciences of Wisconsin taxpayers who oppose the use of public funds for abortion,” said PLW Legislative Director Matt Sande. “Family planning funds undeniably free up resources within receiving organizations, like Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, to engage in the surgical abortion business. And despite their protestations, it is an open question whether they engage in the grisly trade of aborted fetal body parts. They cannot be trusted and are not entitled to the people of Wisconsin’s money.”

Pro-Life Wisconsin thanks Rep. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) for his strong leadership on AB 310. We urge the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Walker to keep moving down the long road toward totally defunding Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin of all taxpayer dollars. The 2011-2013 state biennial budget began the journey by prohibiting state and federal Title V Maternal and Child Health funds from going to organizations or their affiliates that perform or refer for abortions, redirecting them to public entities.