Government

First State Ever: Indiana Votes to Cut Planned Parenthood

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana is poised to become the first state to cut off all government funding for the Planned Parenthood organization, providing a significant victory for the anti-abortion movement but presenting a political predicament for the state’s governor, Mitch Daniels, as he considers running for president.

First State Ever: Indiana Votes to Cut Planned Parenthood

The Indiana House voted 66-32 Wednesday to approve a bill cutting the $3 million in federal money the state distributes to the organization for family planning and health programs.

The measure also ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy unless there is a substantial threat to the woman’s life or health and requires women seeking an abortion be told that life begins at conception and that doctors performing abortions have admitting privileges in a nearby hospital. The Senate approved the measure earlier this month.

The action opens a new legislative front in the conservative assault on Planned Parenthood, which has been targeted for its abortion services. Efforts to cut off federal funds in Congress failed this month, but bills are moving in a number of statehouses.

Indiana’s measure is now in Daniels hands, which could force him to make a decision between the state‘s fiscal interests and a prime goal of his party’s social conservatives.

If he signs the measure, Indiana risks losing $4 million in federal grants for family planning services. If he vetoes it, Daniels could antagonize ardent social conservatives already wary of his public statements about the importance of focusing on economic issues this year. (Daniels made the truce comment last June)

But signing it also could provide Daniels with the political cover he needs from those who question his commitment to social conservative causes. He could point to it throughout the presidential campaign as evidence that opposition to abortion rights and other social causes are part of his political makeup.

A Daniels spokeswoman said the governor would not comment until the bill arrives on his desk for action. He’ll have seven calendar days once he receives the bill to take action. He also could allow it to become law without his signature once those seven days pass.

Daniels has said he will decide on a run for president after the Legislature adjourns, which is expected Friday.

Planned Parenthood says abortions account for just 3 percent of the services it provides. Planned Parenthood clinics across the country perform 1 million screenings for cervical cancer, 830,000 breast exams and some 4 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases. Abortion-rights supporters say cutting funding for Planned Parenthood would primarily hurt poor women who often have few choices for health care.

Conservative lawmakers say, however, that any money the organization receives at least indirectly supports abortions.

“If we’re buying the roof over their head or their paper clips, we’re still subsidizing abortion,” said Republican Rep. Matt Ubelhor, who sponsored a bill to ban state grants or contracts to Planned Parenthood of Indiana.

Planned Parenthood officials urged Daniels to veto the bill and said they would go to court to challenge the funding cut-off.

Indiana social agencies say federal law doesn’t allow states to choose which medical providers receive payments from Medicaid, which pays Planned Parenthood of Indiana about $1.3 million a year.

Republicans in Congress and in state legislatures see state action as an effective new tactic against Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. The push has been intensified since last fall’s midterm ballot elected more Republican governors and larger Republican majorities in many statehouses. Other tough restrictions on abortions have already been approved in many conservative states.

Abortion-rights supporters expect they’ll be fighting the de-funding issue in other state legislatures.

“These battles have been going on for decades,” said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state legislation for the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive-health research organization that supports abortion rights. “They rise and they fall, but right now they seem to be the worst that we’ve seen.”

In North Carolina, the proposed state budget includes a ban on state contracts with Planned Parenthood for teen pregnancy prevention and family planning. In Texas, the Republican-controlled House stripped more than $60 million from the state budget for family planning services, shifting some of the money to anti-abortion programs and crisis pregnancy centers. Last year, New Jersey’s Republican governor, Chris Christie, cut $7.5 million from the state budget for 58 clinics specializing in women’s reproductive health.

Indiana’s Ubelhor said he campaigned on de-funding Planned Parenthood last year, when he defeated an incumbent Democrat and helped Republicans gain control of the Indiana House. He said state legislatures shouldn’t wait on Congress to act. “I think as a state we should do as much as we possibly can,” he said.

Sue Swayze, a legislative lobbyist for Indiana Right to Life, said she expects more state action.

“I think it will give folks who might otherwise have been reluctant to either face the controversy, period, or to put their state on the line, motivation to know that there is some support in Congress for it,” Swayze said.

Nash said abortion rights supporters will argue that the measures hurt state budgets as well as women’s health.

“Those efforts are not in the interest of public health, they are ideological,” she said.

Although the issue could be politically awkward for Daniels, whose term ends next year, it should be welcome for Indiana Rep. Mike Pence, who is considering a run for governor. Pence, a Republican, led the drive in Congress to block Planned Parenthood funding.

Comments (165)

  • oh_yeah
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:00pm

    later

    Report Post »  
  • Grandmadar
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:00pm

    This is a good thing. Wonder if he will let it run out so it becomes a bill without his signature. Then he can say he didn’t sign it! Hope not.

    Mitch is all for Mayors being appointed and not elected.

    Report Post »  
  • oh_yeah
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:00pm

    * = pee pee and poopoo.

    Report Post »  
  • oh_yeah
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:58pm

    i know someone that went to woodstock. he told me when he left all you could smell was a combonation of piss puke and crap. im glad i stayed home with mommy and daddy. but we didnt have a basement.

    Report Post »  
  • miles from nowhere
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:56pm

    The people in this state have got it together. You people are great!

    Report Post »  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:56pm

    well one down I wonder how many others will follow suit

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
    • UpstateNYConservative
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:05pm

      Change is coming fast. OT, but the Dem-run Mass. legislature overwhelming voted today (111-14, I think) to smash collective bargaining for public service unions–police included.

      The ivory towers of the Left are coming down one brick at a time, even now from among their bought-and-paid-for political slaves.

      I love the smell of liberalism burning in the morning. It smells like…liberty!

      Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
    • Born In MA
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 11:09am

      @ Upstate
      I thought I was one of the few that saw that story also. I say it’s about time, but I also say it’s too late. I sit here and am planning my escape from this foolishly liberal state.

      Report Post »  
  • UpstateNYConservative
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:49pm

    PP is a billion-dollar-a-year private corporation. What‘s that about ’corporate welfare’ the Left always simpers about?
    I like the rigged game Washington plays: Cut money to PP and DC cuts off money yo Indian. Can you spell ‘blackmail’?

    If Indiana takes that $3 million and breaks it up into $500K block grants, six government-funded clinic can benefit for their respective neighborhoods instead of some billion-dollar private enterprise.

    To me, that’s a more legitimate government function than covering for rich corporate fat cats.

    Report Post » UpstateNYConservative  
  • Mister_Bill
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:49pm

    Nash said abortion rights supporters will argue that the measures hurt state budgets as well as women’s health.
    “Those efforts are not in the interest of public health, they are ideological,” she said.
    Well “Duh” Winning!!! Of course money is not the object here, first and foremost is the wishes of the people. If the people do not want this we will hear from them.

    Report Post » Mister_Bill  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:47pm

    …and the Indiana Planned Abortionhood meat-grinders will go silent for the first time since 1973. Ah, sweet silence.

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
    • reasonablerhetoric
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:40am

      And coat hangers will take their place. But hey, who cares about the health of women? Barefoot and pregnant, am I right?

      Report Post »  
  • riseandshine
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:46pm

    Right On Right On

    Report Post » riseandshine  
  • T-rav
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:44pm

    Living in Indiana I can say hell yea!!! PP MAY do some good things however government is not in the business nor should it ever be! This drives the liberals I know nuts, they are all about programs like thins until I suggest to them that if its so important they should donate their time and/or money to help out. NOT ON MY DIME!!!!

    Report Post » T-rav  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:43pm

    Wait for the PROTESTS now. They will be ugly, just like ALL the others the liberals are inciting on ALLl issues. LaRaza is the NEXT group that needs to be de-funded! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXPkzMsKacc

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:41pm

    Excellent… This has to be the new tactic… if the Fed will NOT do what the people want, we need to work from the ground up…. we need to vote in people in the town, county, city and state levels who will start to make Conservative and fiscally responsible, as well as certain morally responsible decisions…

    You can‘t say that people’s tax dollars, that just go into the Fed “pool” of fund don‘t wind up trickling into Planned Parenthood and aren’t used for Abortions, there is absolutely NO WAY to be able to ensure those who are religiously, personally or morally against abortions should have to have their money used for something that they are deeply and personally against.

    Fine, if Abortions are allowed, so be it. However, let those who are for abortions or want abortions to have to directly pony up their own money for it, and not have it coming from the general population.

    It is time for the States to stand up and remind the Fed – they are the UNITED “STATES” OF AMERICA, this is NOT the FEDERAL GOVT OF AMERICA!!!! It is time to make the Fed unimportant and irrelevant in matters to the States and time to begin to de-fang this overbloated beast called the Fed…. it needs to be reigned in and taken down quite a few notches… Its only supposed to exist to protect and defend the country from invasions and threat (cough cough… Mexico) and to make sure their is uniform laws across all States and all states are represented, it is NOT supposed to have a thumb pushing down over the States…. So the States need to turn those thumnails upside down and the harder the Fed pushes, the more painful it is going to be for it…

    10th Amendment baby !!!!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • reasonablerhetoric
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:38am

      Planned Parenthood makes people pay for their abortions, ranging from 300 to the thousands, depending on how long you wait. Nice try though.

      Report Post »  
  • mndjohnson
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:41pm

    WE ARE ALL INDIANANS NOW!!!! Love you Guys!! GOD Bless Indiana. America is no longer for sale and the Progressive Liberal Godless Communist trying to sell her will be charged with treason and their despot tyrannical power grab of America is foiled. Let us undo the evil. Bring our boys and girls home from every where in the world and put a stop to this generational theft for the last 100 years from these pot smoking, birkenstock wearing, woodstock attendees whose greatest days was wallowing in the mud, zonked out of their gourds, in a 60′s orgy of rebellion.

    Report Post »  
    • Tal25
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 4:19am

      Watch it. I like birkenstocks. Jk. But seriously i pray to god that you are right. To many conservative americans have been content to negotiate with these sick twisted people. When you are right and are standing on the word of god their is no room forgiving in or letting things go.

      Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 7:34pm

      Anyone know how much coke Obama did? Just curious,
      I didn’t read his book: Socialist dreams from my father, was the title, was it not?
      Anything in there ?

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • reasonablerhetoric
      Posted on April 30, 2011 at 11:35am

      Guess what? It‘s that generation that’s about to take your place. And thankfully, that generation is a lot more open minded than you’ll ever be and will most likely, if we stick to our wide spread ideals, change whatever damage you do before you’re family has to put you in a nursing home, and you have lost competence to vote.

      The far right conservatives are a older generation who are dying out one by one. And the ones that will take it’s place are, for the most part, leftists. So, soak it up while you can. However, you’re not really soaking up much to begin with.

      Report Post »  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:40pm

    I like Mitch Daniels! I hope he is on a Presidential ticket, even if it’s in the VP spot! :)

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:39pm

    INDIANA ~~~ The State that gave us the Straight No Chaser Group, we salute you!!!

    Thank you for leading the way!

    GOD BLESS AND PROTECT, INDIANA!

    Report Post »  
    • ArmyWife127
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 10:17am

      I’ve lived here all my life and have always loved my state : ) Mitch Daniels makes a great governor!

      Report Post » ArmyWife127  
  • obamaphobia
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:37pm

    AKA PLANNED PARENT n da HOOD………

    Report Post »  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:37pm

    “If we’re buying the roof over their head or their paper clips, we’re still subsidizing abortion,” said Republican Rep. Matt Ubelhor, who sponsored a bill to ban state grants or contracts to Planned Parenthood of Indiana.”

    Dam Straight!

    And before all the “its her body, she can do want she wants” arguments……it IS against the law for the federal government to fund abortions.

    Report Post »  
    • Navyveteran
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 10:13am

      I agree MidwestMom everytime I heard that it is the womans body her choice I used to respond that when does the woman have two hearts, 4 lungs, two vaginas, or one penis and two testicles (if the baby is a boy)? Now I just reply well it isn’t just her body when it involves my money. If you use my money I get to decide when you can have an abortion or not. If you don’t want my input leave my tax money alone!

      The breast exams and tests for cancer is a bogus strawman arguement. If they want to do those things fine I don’t mind giving the money for those things, nobody wants anyone to have cancer. Just find out how much they need for those examinations and tests and we can give that money on a case to case basis. Better yet if these people were such a strong supporters of abortion why don’t they just donate their time and money to provide thos abortions to those poor women that need them?

      Report Post »  
  • WHATWOULDPATTONDO
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:37pm

    I think that this is a very good thing to tell you the truth.. Why as tax payers should we have the burden of having to pay for abortions .. I dont remember at any point when reading the constitution that abortion was ever covered in the constitution…. maybe its an Amendment or something?

    Report Post » WHATWOULDPATTONDO  
    • tierrah
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 4:16am

      @Patton: I don’t recall reading anything in the Constitution suggesting we should provide medical care to anyone let alone abortion!!!!!!! Besides, why do we need Planned Parenthood? There are so many clinics and hospitals that provide these needed services to all the poor who are on Medicaid. Dang, I despise their argument about the poor women who would be without medical attention. Gads, are they that ignorant that they can’t go to the town clinic with their free medicaid or obamacare?

      Report Post » tierrah  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:36pm

    @ tower , you are correct. it s UNPLANNED parenthood,

    Report Post »  
  • glennisright.com
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:34pm

    Good job Indiana…..let’s all hope for a domino effect.

    http://www.glennisright.com

    Report Post » glennisright.com  
  • psycodad36
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:34pm

    well it seems time to put the balls on and do whats right,

    Report Post »  
  • DaveOregon
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:33pm

    If he really plans to run for President – he better sign the damn bill!

    Report Post »  
    • bobodu
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 5:10am

      Then he will lose my vote. It;s too bad too ,since he was the only Republican candidate I would have voted for. If you people keep banging on this anti-abortion drum, you can expect four more of Obama.

      Report Post »  
  • mrsmileyface
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:31pm

    Keep this wagon train a-movin! Yea! Indiana!!!!

    Report Post » mrsmileyface  
  • crackerone
    Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:27pm

    One down, 56 to go!

    Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:30pm

      By cutting them would that be considered a neutering?

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • ComeOnToolsOnTheLeft
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:30pm

      That is funny sh!z!!! LMAO!

      Report Post »  
    • Revere1
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:31pm

      Makes you wonder if their governor, Mitch Daniels, is running for president? It’s good for the conservative base: http://www.elephantwatcher.com/p/candidate-profiles.html#daniels

      Report Post » Revere1  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:31pm

      What Planning for parents do they do ?
      If you have an abortion then you are not planning to be a parent.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • Dustyluv
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:31pm

      Obama is that you??? Everyone knows we have 48 states and two territoies along with the Virgins in the Islands that we dont talk about. We also have Puerto Rico that is attached to Florida…

      Really…Congratulations to a State with some guts!!

      Report Post »  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:32pm

      Lol!

      Report Post »  
    • psycodad36
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:32pm

      ha ha

      Report Post »  
    • HillBillySam1
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:35pm

      Well said……it’s a good thing that math is not a determining factor for the Nobel Peace Prize……just like the question about when life begins, civics appears to “be above the pay-grade” of our beloved Dear Leader…..

      Report Post »  
    • WHATWOULDPATTONDO
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:35pm

      was that what obama said when he was talking about how many states are in the union?

      Report Post » WHATWOULDPATTONDO  
    • conservativemom99
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:36pm

      ah hahahahahaha!

      Report Post » conservativemom99  
    • Issachar
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:37pm

      Shut the baby killer murdering hoard down! My tax dollars should not be used for murder, period!

      Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:40pm

      @darmok:

      It would amount to something…something of great value. If Planned Parenthood wants to provide the services of abortions, then let it do it with private funding, not public in any shape or form. Mind you I say this with the fact of being a chaplain, I am pro life across the board.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:40pm

      Good, this work should be done by private hands. Government has no business in the Doctor’s office.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • not-a-lib
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:43pm

      Ptl!!

      Report Post » not-a-lib  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:45pm

      My phone no. is — —- call for service. You know Free – “breast cancer Inspections” Filling the GAP. Is it capitolism if it’s free.

      Report Post »  
    • WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 8:59pm

      Warning to other states of America — turn from your evil ways, too — or pay the penalty for a land that you have soaked with the blood of innocents.

      (So said The Creator Of All Things; yes, He really said that.)

      “Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!’ And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.” -Eze 9:9-10 (Holy Bible)

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:07pm

      @Snow
      Agreed. I am against abortion, but I feel it is a choice between a woman and the doctor that is willing to kill a child. It should be legal to a degree, but not used as birth control. In a perfect world, there would be no abortion, and I look at how many people are waiting for children to adopt.

      I always like the argument that everyone who supports abortion should thank their mothers for not having one.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:13pm

      Why do many find it crazy to cut off PP? Our society is so polarized by free things!

      Report Post »  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:24pm

      good job ….. WeDontNeedNoStinkingBadges

      at least you didn’t spew out the CRAP that you usually do.

      Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:25pm

      Will the people that want to abort run to Illinois, BO’s play ground, for the nasty deed??

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • waggie
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Whaddya say he just votes his conscience and to heck with what everyone else is saying and how they are analyzing him??? OMG, I am so sick of people that will not take a real stand for what they believe in! STAND UP AND TELL IT LIKE IT IS!

      Report Post » waggie  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 9:40pm

      Great job, Indiana!

      Report Post »  
    • CultureWarriors
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:19pm

      Well you all are not going to believe the conversation I had with an extremely liberal Democrat today. I’ve known this person for a long time and we debate liberal/conservative issues frequently. Today were debating the abortion issue and this liberal told me that I didn‘t care about all the people brought up in poverty who can’t even afford to eat. To which I replied, I’ve never see you at our local homeless shelter serving food with me. So keep your guilt to yourself. To which this liberal replied … you don’t get it do you? We do abortions so that the blacks who can‘t take care of themselves don’t have so many babies they can’t take of. To which I just shook my head and walked away. It’s unbelievable the coldness in a liberal mind. They are truly sick individuals.

      Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on April 27, 2011 at 10:44pm

      Speaking as one who was forced to participate in an abortion; this journey is between the woman, her Doctor, and God. Hopefully the man involved will be consulted; in my case I lost (big time).

      So any women considering this ( and reading this), I urge you to also consult with the male involved. You might make a man of him; who knows.

      It is 25 years later and still brings loss to my heart.

      It has been established, for now, that abortion is a woman’s right.
      On the policy side this is a state’s rights issue, whether or not to use public funds (tax dollars) to support this practice.
      private practice and private money; none of my business.

      The Fed — not in your job description.

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • Parnell3rd
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 2:09am

      good one crackerone^5

      Report Post » Parnell3rd  
    • NuffSaid
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 6:27am

      that’s funny

      Report Post »  
    • Linda16
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 8:31am

      Lmbfao

      Report Post »  
    • ArmyWife127
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 10:12am

      Mitch Daniels has done great things for my state and if he decides to run he has my vote!!

      Report Post » ArmyWife127  
    • smlgov
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 11:22am

      Right on!! Way to go, Indiana…I am proud to be a Hoosier!

      Report Post »  
    • TermLimits4All
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 12:05pm

      Oh my now Indiana is full of “Birthers”! What will the left do now? I say keeping ‘em running!

      Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 3:41pm

      Daniels will sign it,guaranteed, if he runs for the Presidency. I Hope his does it for conscience sake though!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • tarbush
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 4:00pm

      @dusty

      I guess it might make sense to call it unplanned unparrenthood. Then again, considering it was founded for eugenics purposes maybe the name fits. They are planning which populations should survive and eliminating ‘inferrior’ populations. What an evil bunch.

      Report Post »  
    • The Wizard
      Posted on April 28, 2011 at 4:03pm

      Daniels is another sleeper Rino. He’s probably sweating blood over this. As far as I‘m concerned he’s finished.

      Report Post » The Wizard  
    • TMACK
      Posted on April 29, 2011 at 10:42am

      @The Wizard…his last term is up anyway in Indiana and it is doubtful he will seek a presidential run.

      As a Hoosier and as many have pointed out, l want Planned Parenthood fall under private funding. Why should my hard-earned tax dollars prived abortions on my dime? Especially when abortion is nothing more than birth control for so many women. Now, I might pay for these women to get their tubes tied so they can’t keep coming back over and over like a serial killer. JMO.

      Report Post » TMACK  
    • Wolf
      Posted on April 29, 2011 at 12:44pm

      Whatever Daniels does, it‘s going to show how far he’s willing to go and who his god really is.

      Report Post »  

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