On the afternoon of February 18th, the House of Representatives hit a new low by passing the Pence Amendment.
This extreme legislation would eliminate federal funding for all Planned Parenthood services, penalizing the organization for using its own, non-federal funds to provide abortions.
If passed by the Senate, this measure would immediately jeopardize the health of millions of women, men and teens who rely on Planned Parenthood to provide basic healthcare services.
In Michigan, Planned Parenthood’s health centers serve nearly 90,000 women and men across the state each year, providing access to safe and affordable family planning and preventative health care.
These services include life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, HIV testing and counseling, and medical referrals.
In many areas, they are the only provider serving low-income women.
Federal funds enable Planned Parenthood to continue their mission of helping families in Michigan meet important health care needs and preventing unintended pregnancies.
Not a penny of federal money goes towards abortion services, which make up a scant 3% of Planned Parenthood’s extensive services.
We can't allow Planned Parenthood to be defunded, putting the health of millions at risk and challenging a woman’s right to make informed moral decisions.
By Shelly Weisberg, legislative director
