Worthy Christian News » Texas to become largest state to defund Planned Parenthood

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

AUSTIN, Texas (Worthy News)– Texas will soon become the largest state to defund Planned Parenthood after its Republican majority legislature recently passed Senate Bill 7, a health care bill that prevents the nation's largest abortion provider from receiving state family funds.

Authored by Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, SB7 could save the state $400 million by increasing efficiency in health care delivery, but the bill also includes an amendment that explicitly prohibits the Texas Women's Health Program from using any state or federal funds to "perform or promote elective abortions, or to contract with entities that perform or promote elective abortions or affiliate with entities that perform or promote elective abortions."

With the passage of SB7, Texas now joins Wisconsin and Indiana in attempting to defund Planned Parenthood from its state health programs

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is expected to sign the bill by the end of the week, but if that happens, Sarah Wheat, the local interim CEO of Planned Parenthood, said the state will see its family planning centers closing, or reducing their hours this summer.

"Women's health hangs in the balance as a result of the complete gutting of women's health services," said Wheat, (the) bill will just make it harder for women to access Planned Parenthood, which is the oldest and largest provider of women's health care."

Perry's people, however, see the bill as another legislative step toward protecting the unborn.

"The governor continues to champion the protection of unborn life in Texas," said Perry spokeswoman Lucy Nashed, "(by) recently signing House Bill 15, which requires a woman to have a sonogram before electing to have an abortion to ensure she is fully informed before making such an impactful decision."

Related News Stories:

1. ACLJ Not Deterred by Entry of Planned Parenthood into Lawsuit Against Kmart Involving Abortion Prod
2. Thomas More Law Center Sues Planned Parenthood Over Abortion – Breast Cancer Link
3. Federal Judge Decides Life Begins at Conception: Planned Parenthood's Request Denied
4. Texas moderates may leave SBC to form new, national Baptist group
5. ACLJ Secures Local Equal Access For Texas Church and Pastor Bringing an End To Federal Lawsuit
6. Personhood Bills Planned Across United States
7. PA Minister Admits Initfada Was Planned