House Committee Moves to Cut Planned Parenthood Funding
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has declared its intention to reduce taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood as part of its reconciliation bill. A conservative think tank is now calling on Congressional Republicans to take action and fully defund the organization.
This reconciliation bill specifically targets funding for groups involved in transgender medical procedures for minors.
In a memo, Advancing American Freedom, a think tank established by former Vice President Mike Pence, emphasized, “Congress can defund Planned Parenthood NOW—but Republicans are dragging their feet.” They noted that Planned Parenthood is the foremost abortion provider in the country and is increasingly engaged in “transitioning” children.
The pro-life group Live Action recently published an undercover investigation revealing that Planned Parenthood offers cross-sex hormone prescriptions to minors during virtual appointments, often providing same-day services.
Planned Parenthood has claimed to be the “second-largest provider of hormone therapy” in the U.S.
Around 450 clinics associated with Planned Parenthood offer transgender services, with 45 out of 49 affiliates providing “gender-affirming hormone therapy.”
In addition to its work in hormone therapy, Planned Parenthood distributes thousands of abortion pills annually. A study from the Ethics and Public Policy Institute indicates that about 11% of women using the chemical abortion pill experience serious complications, such as sepsis and hemorrhaging.
A report by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and the Joint Economic Committee revealed that the economic impact of abortion-related loss of life costs the U.S. economy trillions of dollars each year.
From 2019 to 2021, Planned Parenthood received $148 million in grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, along with $1.5 billion in payments from Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, with regional organizations taking in an additional $108 million.
Last fall, Planned Parenthood also used some of its funding to try to influence election results.
In response to the proposed defunding by congressional Republicans, Planned Parenthood stated that it “doesn’t get a blank check from the government.” They explained that, like other healthcare providers, their affiliates are reimbursed for services rendered to patients covered by public health programs like Medicaid.
According to the memo from Advancing American Freedom, “There is no reason that American taxpayers should continue to cover Planned Parenthood’s reckless abortion and gender transition practices.” They insisted that Republicans in Congress need to take decisive steps to defund Planned Parenthood once and for all.
