Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) recently took time late last week to speak about a new piece of legislation that is aiming to fully defund Planned Parenthood just as multiple thousands of people group up in Washington, D.C., to take part in the March for Life — marking the first time the annual event has taken place since the Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade.
“I’ve introduced my first bill of the 118th Congress. It would defund Planned Parenthood. We need to protect the sanctity of life in this country. To all those marching at the March For Life, let’s rally behind this bill and get it done!” explained Boebert as part of a social media post.
A sum that sits well over $633 million coming from the taxpayer coffers was given over to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates throughout the year ending June 30, 2021, the group stated as part of its most recent rent yearly report which covered 2020-2021. The group, which is known to offer up a large suite of health care services to women, also took part in a total of 383,460 abortion procedures, which sits as a marked increase of close to 10% from the numbers which were previously reported.
As the group’s advocacy arm, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund sports a section on their website that makes the claim that when politicians speak about “defunding” planned parenthood, “they really mean blocking patients who depend on public health care funds from getting their care at Planned Parenthood health centers.”
With this new legislation from Boebert, which sports a strong 29 co-sponsors, federal tax money is prohibited for a total of one year after going to Planned Parenthood or any of its affiliates unless these entities fully certify that they will not take part in providing any funds or services which could be construed as abortions. There are a few exceptions that are outlined in the moratorium, which include exceptions in cases of pregnancy that are the result of an act of rape or incest, along with cases in which the life of the mother has been placed in danger.
This “Defund Planned Parenthood Act” calls on both the secretaries of the Health and Human Services Department and Agriculture Department to go after repayment for any federal assistance rendered by Planned Parenthood or its affiliates who are found in violation of their certifications. This bill from Boebert also aims to set aside $235,000 for community health center programs as part of the Public Health Service Act Section 330.
“The nation’s largest abortion provider has no business receiving taxpayer dollars. Planned Parenthood claims these funds go to healthcare for women, but last year, Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions while also reducing the number of well-woman exams and breast cancer screenings it performed,” stated Boebert in a release. “Instead of funding Planned Parenthood, my bill will redirect this funding to community health centers that actually meet the health needs of women across the country.”