News and Stories: Indiana and National Planned Parenthood Organizations React to Federal and State Defunding Attempts

Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) are outraged that the U.S. House of Representatives passed Indiana Congressman Mike Pence's amendment to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds for basic primary and lifesaving preventive health care to women and families. Pence offered the amendment to the FY11 Continuing Resolution, which completely eliminates the Title X national family planning program.

"The outcome of this vote is not a surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values and it is out of line with the issues voters want Congress to focus on," said PPFA President Cecile Richards. "In attacking Planned Parenthood, the House Republican leadership has launched an outrageous assault on the millions of Americans who rely on Planned Parenthood for primary and preventive health care, including lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, annual exams, family planning visits, birth control, HIV testing, and more."

"In Indiana, it means PPIN would lose $3 million in federal family planning dollars and Medicaid reimbursements that serve 22,000 patients," said PPIN President and CEO Betty Cockrum. "The funding is used to pay for birth control, Pap tests, and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted disease. It is money that is used to reduce the incidence of abortion through education and prevention. This vendetta would have huge costs to the State of Indiana with increased unintended pregnancy rates and an estimated $68 million due to additional Medicaid-covered births. It makes no sense."

PPIN is also facing defunding attempts in the Indiana General Assembly. House Bill 1205 will be eligible for consideration by the full Indiana House next week.