Iowa Pro-Life Lawmakers Look to De-Fund Planned Parenthood

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Apr 9, 2012   |   7:20PM   |   Washington, DC

Iowa could become the next state to see a fight to de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business, which has last taxpayer funding in states ranging from Texas to Indiana to New Hampshire.

Republican lawmakers in the Iowa House are working on plans to push for new limits on state taxpayer funding going to the biggest abortion giant in the nation. Chuck Hurley of the Family Leader told Radio Iowa that, while Planned Parenthood doesn’t get funding for abortions, it receives $6 million in state tax dollars as reimbursement for providing birth control and family planning for women that can be obtained elsewhere without supporting an abortion business.

“This amendment would move that money away from people like Planned Parenthood and to comprehensive, full-service health care providers,” Hurley says. “It would not cut any funds. It would redirect them to those that can provide more and better services to needy women.”

“We are urging Iowans who care about using tax dollars wisely to contact their House members right away,” Hurley says.

Radio Iowa provides more about the upcoming battle, which sees Republicans taking the pro-life position while Democrats are expected to battle to keep tax dollars flowing the organization that does more than 25 percent of all abortions in the United States.

This policy debate is likely to occur when the House considers a massive bill that outlines spending for the Iowa Department of Human Services. Back in the 2010 campaign, when Terry Branstad was seeking a fifth term as governor, Branstad mentioned during a debate that he supported a policy that would “defund” Planned Parenthood.

“Unfortunately, it did not happen in 2011. It’s overdue,” Hurley says. “Now, nine other states — at least — have done something similar and it’s Iowa’s turn.”

While the proposal is likely to pass the Iowa House where Republicans outnumber Democrats 60 to 40, it’s unlikely to survive the Democratically-led Iowa Senate.

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