The NH GOP Assault on Women’s Health (cont.)
This week, the five Republicans on the state Executive Council voted 3-2 to reject a $1.8 million, two-year contract with Planned Parenthood to provide women’s health services. Councilor Dan St. Hilaire, the deciding vote, cited the fact that the organization provides abortions as the reason he voted against the contract.
Last year in New Hampshire, Planned Parenthood saw more than 15,000 patients and provided:
- 6,112 breast exams
- 5,548 cervical cancer screenings
- 18,858 tests for sexually transmitted infections
- 13,242 contraceptive care consultations
No taxpayer funds are used for abortions, which make up just 3% of Planned Parenthood’s services and are covered either by health insurance or patient payment.
Federal courts in Texas and Missouri have ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny funding to health care providers because they perform abortions. Planned Parenthood his investigating the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the state.
Update: A federal court has ruled that Indiana cannot cut off Planned Parenthood funding solely because the organization also provides abortions.
