SisterSong Disappointed by Passage of Pence Amendment

 This harmful amendment would deny any Title X funding to all reproductive health organizations that provide abortions. Like the Smith Bill (HR 3) this amendment is dangerous to women of color and our families.

 

 “We are saddened by the passage of the Pence Amendment, as it is a continuation of the war on women by attacking the critical services that women of color and poor women have received through Title X funding since 1970,” said Loretta Ross, National Coordinator of SisterSong. “This bill doesn’t just deny Title X money to Planned Parenthood, but to any reproductive health organization that performs abortions, including hospitals and the small community clinics that provide HIV prevention services, STI testing, and preventive care for teens.”

 

Approximately 4,600 public and private entities, including non-profit family planning clinics, hospitals and public health departments, receive Title X funds each year.[1] Women of color and poor women depend heavily on these funds to pay for preventive care and basic healthcare services. SisterSong stands with the women who would be disproportionately affected by such extreme legislation, as well as the providers who offer services critical to our communities.

 

 “We will challenge all efforts to strip women of our human right to health care, especially a need as critical as Title X funding. We call on all U.S Senators, Democrat and Republicans, to vote against Amendment 11 and restore funding for these crucial services,” says Heidi Williamson, National Advocacy Coordinator of SisterSong.

 

[1]Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population Affairs, Office of Family Planning. http://opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/titlex/ofp.html

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