Kansas Gov Parkinson Sends Funds From Health Clinics to Planned Parenthood
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
May 27, 2010
Topeka, KS (LifeNews.com) — Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson upset pro-life advocates today with a line-item veto of a state budget provision that would cut taxpayer funding of the Planned Parenthood abortion business. He increased the funding for the abortion business while cutting funds for legitimate health clinics.
Last year, Parkinson outraged pro-lifers when he restored Planned Parenthood funding with about $250,000 in taxpayer funds.
Planned Parenthood is now slated for $375,000, up 37% since 2007, from Title X, the tax-funded, federal family planning program.
Parkinson vetoed the Huelskamp/Kinzer proviso which would direct all Title X money go to comprehensive public clinics and hospitals. Title X federal taxpayer money is funneled through the Kansas health department to various qualified clinics for family planning services which also includes cancer screenings, pregnancy visits and STD testing.
Kansans for Life director Mary Kay Culp told LifeNews.com, "It’s a sad day in Kansas when the Governor insures a politically motivated group like Planned Parenthood gets our taxpayer dollars while state health clinics are left wanting."
“Gov. Parkinson is out of step with the public, which doesn’t want to be linked with this abortion business, but that public showed up at Johnson County offices today, where commissioners acted wisely to unhitch—and protect our children– from Planned Parenthood," she added.
Last year, nearly one-seventh of the state’s allocation was secured by Governor Parkinson for two private Planned Parenthood businesses in Wichita and Hays, both situated near public clinics that are able to provide the same services without also doing abortions.
Gov. Parkinson ignored the plight of primary health care (safety net) clinics in Kansas as told to state budget committees this year, Culp said. These clinics are struggling to provide adequate comprehensive coverage when clients’ utilization has increased by 34% from 2006 to 2008, and 25% from 2008 to 2009.
Senator Tim Huelskamp also weighed in on Parkinson’s decision.
“By vetoing these provisions, the Governor has thrown his political support to left-wing political interests like Planned Parenthood,’ he said. “The vast majority of Kansans want their elected officials to stop taxpayer funding of abortions."
The Planned Parenthood funds are mailed to their Overland Park parent facility—which does abortions and still faces 107 criminal charges in Johnson County for potentially illegal late-term abortions.
Last month, Parkinson vetoed a late-term abortion bill, HB 2115, which the Senate fell one vote shy of overriding.
ACTION: Send your thoughts about the Planned Parenthood funding to Governor Parkinson at https://governor.ks.gov
Related web sites:
Kansans for Life – https://www.kfl.org
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
