The healthcare of Kansas women is once again imperiled by men with an agenda. I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m really not. Well – I’m not surprised by the action, so much as the lack of rationality displayed by the supporters.
State Senator Tim Huelskamp again brought an amendment to the budget that defunds Planned Parenthood. This time instead of being removed in committee, it is in the final bill that our new (and somewhat questionable) Governor will be signing. The only hope now is that Governor Parkinson realizes the damage this will do Kansas women.
Huelskamp’s reasoning for offering this amendment was clear, Planned Parenthood provides abortion services (at limited clinics and as far as I know only one in the state) and being the good little zealot he is – he doesn’t want a dime of state money going to the big, evil Planned Parenthood. What seems to be lost on Sen. Huelskamp is that funding from the state is used for education services only. I’m sure Sen. Huelskamp is a member of the abstinence-only crowd, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
If Governor Parkinson doesn’t veto this bill – Kansas will become the 7th state to defund Planned Parenthood. Wow, we should be so proud (yes that was sarcasm).
At times of economic hardship family planning services become even more vital. Studies have shown a strong uptick in abortion rates at times of economic struggle – how is this so hard to understand? We are having a severe downturn in our state and they pick now to defund family planning education? If they are as anti-abortion as they claim, they should be increasing funds for family planning.
“I am excited that both chambers of the Kansas Legislature have approved my amendment to remove taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. With Kansas facing a budget crunch, this would be a big victory for the taxpayers," he told LifeNews.com.
Senator Huelskamp obviously doesn’t understand (or is willfully ignoring) is that unwanted pregnancies cost the taxpayers of Kansas way more than funding education services at Planned Parenthood.
I strongly urge my Kansas readers to reach out to Governor Parkinson and urge him to veto.
It is disgraceful that one man’s vendetta against women’s reproductive freedom has gotten this far.
Like much of the conservative agenda, the old maxim, "cutting off the nose to spite the face" seems applicable.
ReplyDeleteSigh. It just keeps on going, hopefully Parkinson has some sense here. This sort of crap has no business in the budget bill.
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