Minnesota GOP moves to ban funding for Planned Parenthood
Monday, April 18, 2011 at 3:42 pm
- 12 Comments
Minnesota legislators introduced a bill on Monday that would ban state family planning money from going to any organization that offers abortion services, advocates for the right to choose an abortion, counsels pregnant women that abortion is an option or is affiliated with any organization that engages in those activities. In fact, under the bill, family planning dollars cannot be used to refer women to abortion services even if they are explicitly seeking those services. The bill introduced on Monday is the twelfth anti-abortion rights bill introduced so far this session.
The bill states that organizations that receive state family planning funding “may provide nondirective counseling relating to pregnancy but may not directly refer patients who seek abortion services to any organization that provides abortion services.”
Many organizations that receive such funding offer referrals for women who are seeking abortion services, but under the bill, those organizations would be banned from mentioning abortion.
The bill puts a large list of restrictions on family planning services. The funds cannot be used to subsidize abortion services or administration expenses indirect to abortion services. The funds cannot go to organizations that are affiliated with an organization that provides abortion services or has ever said that “abortion is considered part of a continuum of family planning services, reproductive health services, or both,” either in writing or by oral statement. Any organization receiving family planning funds would be barred from publicly advocating for the legality or accessibility of abortion.
The bill seems to particularly target Planned Parenthood clinics throughout the state. Most family planning funds in Minnesota go to county public health departments and smaller Planned Parenthood clinics in Greater Minnesota that do not perform abortions.
Under the bill, any organization or clinic with “the same or a similar name” to one that provides abortion services, referrals for abortion services or advocates for the legality of abortion would be prohibited from receiving family planning funds.
SF1224 was introduced by Republican Sens. Dan Hall of Burnsville, Paul Gazelka of Brainerd, Gretchen Hoffman of Vergas, Michelle Benson of Ham Lake and Sean Nienow of Cambridge.
Republicans in the House and Senate have offered 11 bills, in addition to SF1224, that would in some manner curtail reproductive rights including five bills that ban women on state-sponsored health plans from using that plan to obtain an abortion, five bills to ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation and a bill to prevent minors from seeking an abortion without parental consent. Legislators have also offered a bill to create a “Choose Life” license plate to help fund adoption services.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter12 Comments
Comment posted April 18, 2011 @ 3:51 pm
That’s it. It is now official (as if it wasn’t already) . The GOP party is out of touch with reality. They are a bunch of neanderthals beating on rocks.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MAKING THIS SESSION ABOUT JOBS YOU FREEKIN MORONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment posted April 19, 2011 @ 3:58 am
If Governor Dayton’s veto pen runs out of ink, I can loan him a few of mine.
Pingback posted April 19, 2011 @ 7:36 am
[...] MNIndy: MN GOP on the attack against Planned Parenthood [...]
Comment posted April 19, 2011 @ 10:09 am
Well, it’s obvious that our local government is completely ignorant of the needs and desires of its people.
Someone please remind me why I moved back here, since the MNGOP has absolutely no interest in listening, no matter how loud we scream?
Pingback posted April 19, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
[...] Minnesota GOP introduces 12th anti-choice bill this session; this bill would ban funding for Planned… [...]
Comment posted April 19, 2011 @ 1:00 pm
I think the religious right is trying to eliminate all options but churches for the hungry, homeless and otherwise vulnerable people. It’s a power play that, should they succeed, will end with citizens forced to kneel before an alter before finding relief. Back to the dark ages.
Praise Jebus, No one expects the spanish inquisition, Amen.
Pingback posted April 20, 2011 @ 5:20 am
[...] The Minnesota Independent formerly reported, on Monday, Minnesota senators introduced Senate File 1224, that would [...]
Pingback posted April 20, 2011 @ 9:03 am
[...] On Monday, the GOP introduced the twelfth bill to decrease or eliminate abortion rights. (Via the Minnesota Independent) [...]
Pingback posted April 20, 2011 @ 5:14 pm
[...] As The Minnesota Independent previously reported, on Monday, Minnesota senators introduced Senate File 1224, which would effectively ban state family planning money from going to organizations that offer abortion services. As The Minnesota Independent notes, aside from county public health departments, most family planning funds in Minnesota are given to Planned Parenthood clinics that do not perform abortions. Thus, the added clause in the bill preventing funds from going to any clinic with “the same or a similar name” to one that provides abortion services or abortion referrals seems to target Planned Parenthood. [...]
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