Several states have completely or partially revoked taxpayer funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business and one pro-life organization has taken a look at the effect of the de-funding efforts.
A new analysis from American Life League shows those efforts have been successful in closing permanently or temporarily Planned Parenthood abortion and abortion-referral clinics in the states where taxpayer funds have been redirected to women’s health programs and facilities that do not do abortions.
“Due to legislative victories, Planned Parenthood has suffered significant tax-payer funding losses and, consequently, facility closures in states all around the country,” says Leslie Tignor of ALL’s Stop Planned Parenthood outreach. “By our calculations, $79.8 million has been stripped from Planned Parenthood so far at the state level. And, though this is only a fraction of its billion dollar bottom line, the closures that have resulted show how very vulnerable it is to loss of taxpayer funding.”
Tignor provided a list of the states where Planned Parenthood has lost funding in 2011:
New Jersey
By executive veto, Governor Chris Christie eliminated $7.5 million in Title X Family Planning funding from the New Jersey state budget in 2010 and again in 2011. This money has been redirected to Federally Qualified Health Centers. These FQHCs provide more expansive health care services than Planned Parenthood without committing abortions.
Kansas
In March, Kansas stripped Planned Parenthood of $330,000 in Title X funds. The funds were deflected to local full service clinics, placing PP at the bottom of the priority list.
Indiana
In May, the legislature passed a bill that denies public funding of abortion providers, effectively denying Planned Parenthood $2-3 million normally contributed to its budget. The Justice Department and PP are pursuing a federal lawsuit to stop this law’s enforcement.
North Carolina
In June, the general assembly passed a budget rider that would cut $434,000 in contracts and grants to Planned Parenthood. However, PP recently persuaded a judge to order the state to reinstate its funding.
Wisconsin
In June, legislation was passed withholding $1 million in funds from Planned Parenthood.
Tennessee
In May, the legislature shifted the priority for Title X funds from Planned Parenthood to county health departments, resulting in an estimated $335,000 loss for PP.
Texas
Due to legislative action, projected losses to Planned Parenthood’s taxpayer funding over the next two years is estimated at $58 million. PP has since confirmed closures that will be completed by the end of September in seven locations: Gainesville, Arlington, Mesquite, Plano, Sherman, Terrell, and Waxahachie.
New Hampshire
In July, the Executive Council declined to renew a $1.8 million state contract with Planned Parenthood. The Obama administration ordered the state to fund PP by August 15 or face the loss of federal health care funds. The Executive Council says it has no plans to reinstate PP funding.
Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Due to an 11 percent decrease in federal Title X funding, six of Planned Parenthood’s facilities have closed in these states.
The ALL report follows one from Texas Right to Life covering that state showing as many as 12 Planned Parenthood centers have closed.
