FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2012
Contact: Mallory Quigley, 202-223-8073
Decision Undermines State’s Right to Keep Taxpayer Dollars from Flowing to Abortion Providers
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Susan B. Anthony List criticized the decision of a Texas Judge to grant a preliminary injunction to Planned Parenthood affiliates while they sue the state of Texas following the state’s decision to ban abortion providers from participating in the Texas Women’s Health Program.
“Planned Parenthood, America’s abortion giant, is holding hostage the health care of low-income women across Texas in order to keep its pockets lined with taxpayer dollars,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “As Governor Perry has pointed out, Planned Parenthood clinics represent less than two percent of the more than 2,500 enrolled providers. By suing in court and demanding taxpayer funding, Planned Parenthood may leave the state with no choice but to end the Women’s Health Program in order to ensure that taxpayers are not forced to subsidize the abortion industry.”
In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission rejecting Texas’ law by turning down the state’s request to run their own family planning program. In March 2012, HHS officially stopped funding for Texas’ Women’s Health Program. Governor Perry has pledged to fully fund the program using state dollars.
The SBA List has led the charge to defund Planned Parenthood in the states following last year’s Congressional battle, offering state groups and legislators model legislation, expert testimony, and grassroots muscle. In 2011, eight states successfully defunded Planned Parenthood of more than $61.7 million.
The Susan B. Anthony List, and its connected Political Action Committee, the SBA List Candidate Fund, are dedicated to electing candidates and pursuing policies that will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List will emphasize the election, education, promotion, and mobilization of pro-life women.
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