On Monday, Planned Parenthood filed suit against the state of Utah for cutting off federal funding to the abortion giant. Earlier this month, Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced the state’s intent to divert $225,000 from Planned Parenthood to other healthcare agencies, as evidence of Planned Parenthood’s illegal actions continues to be uncovered.
Planned Parenthood claims that moves to defund the organization are based on unfounded allegations. However, undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress have shown Planned Parenthood officials engaging in negotiations over the sale of human body parts, as well as testimony regarding infanticide and partial-birth abortion. The evidence revealed in the videos has resulted in several states taking action to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. Two separate forensic analyses have found that the videos were not manipulated or falsified in any way.
Planned Parenthood continues to claim that diverting state and federal funds away from the abortion giant will damage women, limiting their access to health care. This is simply false, as there are over 13,500
comprehensive health care clinics across the nation – far more than there are Planned Parenthood locations. Furthermore, many of these comprehensive clinics offer essential women’s health services such as mammograms – which no Planned Parenthood facility is licensed or equipped to perform.
Governor Herbert made it clear that diverting money from Planned Parenthood does not mean the end of funding for women’s health care in Utah; rather, it removes funding from an agency that has demonstrated a callous disregard for the law, and for the rights and health of its patients.
According to Tom Hudachko of the Utah Department of Health, the money will be distributed to other healthcare agencies; these agencies will be able to provide better, more comprehensive care for women.
