It is telling that the only Republican presidential candidate who could be considered “moderate” is John Kasich of Ohio. But is he really a moderate? Kasich just signed a bill that will defund Planned Parenthood in Ohio.
This isn’t just about abortion. This will eliminate money used for cancer screenings, HIV testing, and for programs fighting domestic violence and infant mortality.
Planned Parenthood’s president denounced the bill, saying:
John Kasich is proudly eliminating care for expectant mothers and newborns; he is leaving thousands without vital STD and HIV testing, slashing a program to fight domestic violence, and cutting access to essential, basic health care. It’s clear Kasich has no regard for women’s health or lives, and will stop at nothing to block health care for the tens of thousands of Ohioans who rely on Planned Parenthood.
This is not a moderate stance. Americans oppose defunding Planned Parenthood 58% to 33%.
11 Comments
I wonder if anyone in Ohio realizes the cost that will be to the taxpayers of Ohio. More HIV people depending on medical care in Ohio. More babies born with only taxpayer help, and it goes on and on.
Why do we need any taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood at all anymore. Why can’t patients use their newly acquired health insurance? Just asking.
If taxpayers are already footing the bill for healthcare subsidies so all can have insurance, why do we additionally need to foot the bill for those services?
If I’m not mistaken, most of the federal funding for Planned Parenthood comes from Medicaid which is insurance. It’s geared to serve the very low income women. Defunding is just an ideological (Republican/Libertarian/Conservative/whatever) action that really makes no sense. Like EBDOUG said, it’ll probably wind up costing us more in the long run.
Interesting times, Donald Trump was defending planned parenthood in last debate, saying they do good work as well.. Trump is going to win trailer trash votes (with all other things he said combined together)
Jwhat is correct. 75% of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding comes from Medicaid. So, PSGT, your question doesn’t make sense, as it is already true.
And, as Eva already pointed out, stopping funding for HIV testing and cancer screening, not to mention birth control, would almost certainly increase the cost to taxpayers.
I think, with the recent actions of Republican Congressmen (state and fed) and the GOP Presidential hopefuls, we can completely dispense with any notion that “too far to the right” exists in strength as a concept in Republican politics. Unless you’re a fetus, a gun, or a member of the super-wealthy, your wellbeing is not a GOP concern.
“So, PSGT, your question doesn’t make sense.”
So are they trying to cut off insurance (ie. Medicaid) payments to P.P. or just the title 10 funding?
If it is the insurance payments then yes that is wrong, but if not, then so what. Patients should be able to get, HIV, Mamograms, and other healthcare services at any facility, not just PP. And currently title 10 money can’t be used for abortions anyway.
seems like much ado about nothing.
They are trying to cut off insurance (i.e., Medicaid) payments to Planned Parenthood.
The last legislation at the federal level tried to cut off all funding (including Medicaid), saying it could not go to Planned Parenthood (it could go to other providers). Of course, Medicaid is administered by the states, but it is 90% reimbursed by the feds. So a state could decide to continue paying Planned Parenthood, but the money would have to come out of their own pockets (which are largely empty).
So I guess we agree it is wrong.
Title X cannot be used for abortions. Medicaid can be used for abortions, but only in specific instances (rape, incest, life of the mother, etc.)
Don’t go telling everybody we agree, it’ll ruin my reputation. 🙂
My lips are sealed.
“Patients should be able to get, HIV, Mamograms [sic.], and other healthcare services at any facility, not just PP.” The key word here being “should.” The reality is often “can’t.”
In many cases, there simply is no other provider within a hundred miles. They just don’t exist. In other cases, there are other providers, but they simply don’t accept Medicaid or any form of insurance. (This seems to be a growing trend in private medical practices, because of the headache of dealing with insurance providers.) And in yet other cases, the provider charges more than Medicaid is willing to pay; the patient is expected to pay the remainder out of pocket, in advance.
End result: In far too many places, cutting off Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood shuts off these services, particularly for poor women. It’s class warfare masquerading as overzealous piety.