(Photo: Justin Lane/European Pressphoto Agency)
On April 13, President Trump signed legislation intending to undermine nonprofits such Planned Parenthood because they perform abortions. The change nullifies President Obama’s law that prohibited local and state governments from withholding federal funding for family planning. These services include screening for breast and cervical cancer, pregnancy care, fertility, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, and controversially, abortion services.
In the past, Trump has applauded Planned Parenthood for its services other than abortion, and has proposed a compromise wherein federal funding for the health-providing nonprofit is preserved so long as they stop performing abortions. Planned Parenthood, however, says it will never accept the deal and points out that government funding for abortion (except under limited circumstances) is already prohibited under federal law.
Head of an anti-abortion group, Marjorie Dannenfelser feels, “Prioritizing funding away from Planned Parenthood to comprehensive health care alternatives is a winning issue. We expect to see congress continue its efforts to redirect additional taxpayer funding away from Planned Parenthood through pro-life health care reform after the spring recess.”
On the contrary, Heidi Williamson, senior policy analyst for a women’s right group disapproves of Trump’s legislation and said, “Despite repeated promises that he would protect and invest in women’s health, President Trump has once again shown that his words carry little weight. Trump’s actions are creating very real and damaging consequences for millions of women and their families, inflicting direct harm on already vulnerable communities.”
Alanna Shingler Staff Reporter