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States Could Soon Choose To Block Some Funding For Planned Parenthood

A new bill would allow states to withhold Title X family-planning funds from health care providers that offer abortions.
Posted at 9:58 AM, Apr 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-01 09:58:28-04

Abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, could soon have their funding slashed in certain states thanks to a measure that's ready for President Donald Trump's signature.

An Obama administration-era ruling requires states to give Title X family-planning grants to qualified health providers, even if those providers perform abortions.

We should note Title X money generally can't be used to fund abortions. But anti-abortion organizations have still pushed to cut all types of government funding to groups that offer them.

The GOP health care bill that stalled in the House included a more severe provision that would have blocked Medicaid funds from going to abortion providers.

The recent bill to block Title X funding passed the Senate on Thursday. Two Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing the measure, so Vice President Mike Pence voted to break the 50-50 tie.

The bill now heads to Trump's desk.