Gov. Brownback Poised to Sign Budget to Restrict Women’s Health

“A preview of Mitt Romney’s Plan for America,” Planned Parenthood says

Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund

New York — Governor Sam Brownback is poised to approve a state budget that could strip nearly 6,000 Kansas women’s access to lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, and prevention and treatment of STDs. A similar measure in Kansas was blocked by a federal court less than a year ago on constitutional grounds.

Following is a statement from Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“Governor Brownback appears willing to spend more time and money working to block women’s access to cancer screenings, birth control, and well-woman exams than addressing the real needs of Kansans. In these difficult economic times, women and families need high quality, affordable health care, not more political meddling.

"What’s happening in Kansas is a preview of what would happen in all 50 states if Mitt Romney is elected. Mitt Romney has said that he would end preventive care to five million women and cut off access to birth control for women who need it most. This is bad for women’s health and bad for our economy.

"Planned Parenthood won't let politics interfere with the health care that one in five women in America relies on at some point in her life. Planned Parenthood doors are open in Kansas today, and they’ll be open tomorrow. Women are counting on us to protect their cancer screenings, birth control and other preventive care, and we will fight for them."

Background Facts:

FACT: The 2013 Kansas budget contains the same language currently blocked by a federal district court that would make Planned Parenthood ineligible to provide affordable birth control, lifesaving cancer screenings, and STD testing and treatment for low-income patients through the federal Title X family planning program.

FACT: Each year, Planned Parenthood’s nonprofit health centers in Kansas care for more than 5,700 people through the Title X program.

FACT: In a November USA Today op-ed, Mitt Romney said he would eliminate the entire Title X program, serving more than five million patients a year, and when speaking with voters in Kirkwood, MO, in March, Mitt Romney said, “Planned Parenthood, we're going to get rid of that.”

FACT: There is overwhelming public support for federal funding for Planned Parenthood. A February 2012 National Journal poll shows that 69 percent of voters oppose cutting off funding for Planned Parenthood, including women and independents.

FACT: Family planning programs save money in Kansas and nationwide. Every $1 spent on family planning services in Kansas saves the state $6 in Medicaid-related costs.

FACT: The costs of Kansas’ attack on women’s health don’t end there. The state of Kansas has hired private counsel to defend the unconstitutional 2011 budget measure, costing Kansas taxpayers at least an additional $327,000.