Contraception and Family Planning Come Under Renewed Political Assault

Last year, despite all the high-level Congressional attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics, Congress renewed its support for Title X family planning assistance, rebuffed efforts to slash international family planning assistance, and stopped a campaign to re-impose the global “gag rule” on overseas providers of family planning services.  But family planning came under renewed assault in January during the GOP presidential contests when the leading candidates called for the elimination of Title X, and Rick Santorum said that states should have the authority to ban family planning.

The war against women and their reproductive health and rights took another bizarre turn when the Susan G. Komen Foundation, under pressure from anti-abortion groups, withdrew the funding it provides to Planned Parenthood for breast exams.  While the Komen Foundation later backed down under public pressure, the controversy showed that opponents of abortion and family planning were gaining strength politically.