Where Poverty & Reproductive Health Collide
By Jumping off of my last post, here’s an example of the collision between reproductive health and poverty, its potentially farreaching effects, and how the Republicans are trying to use poverty as a tool for trimming reproductive rights.
From a SIECUS news alert:
Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN) has introduced an amendment to the House Labor and Health and Human Services appropriations bill that is intended to specifically block Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving federal family planning funding. No other health provider is targeted by the amendment. The vote is scheduled for today, and could take place at any time!
Each year, more than five million women receive comprehensive family planning services at approximately 4,500 family planning clinics funded by Title X. Title X patients are predominantly poor and uninsured; two-thirds have incomes at or below the federal poverty level.
Title X is the Federal government’s only funding stream for reproductive health services for the poor. Title X funds the provision of general gynecological care and contraceptive services for poor women. Title X funds may not be used to provide abortions. And – yes – planned parenthood receives Title X funding, as do many other clinics.
Pence’s amendment is plain-old vindictive. It’s fueled by legislation like the law recently signed in Missouri (from that cross-shaped podium no less) that bars Planned Parenthood from teaching comprehensive sex ed. It’s planned parenthood – and poor women – as the strawman for abortion rights politics. And it’s plain old disgusting.
The vote could happen today. call your representative and tell them to vote no on the Pence amendment. Reach your Congressperson by calling the Congressional Switchboard at 202-225-3121.