Congressional Opponents of Family Planning on the Attack

In February, House Republicans opposed to family planning launched a two –pronged attack.  First, they announced that they wanted to wipe out the Title X Family Planning program.   Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing access to contraceptive services, supplies and information to low-income families in the U.S. Over the past 40 years, Title X family planning clinics have played a vital role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services for millions of low-income households.  While the U.S. House stopped short of eliminating all funding, it did vote to de-fund one of the major providers of family planning assistance: Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Then, Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH, 5th), sought to wipe out the $648 million a year currently being spent for international family planning assistance.  While family planning opponents were unable to get a floor vote on that amendment, the House-passed funding bill would slash funding to $400 million. 

The U.S. Senate is expected to oppose House efforts to slash funding for family planning assistance, both domestic and international.  Differences between the two Houses will have to be worked out in a House-Senate conference committee later this month.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-walker/the-fight-to-save-family-_b_824086.html