Palmer: States Should Have the Choice of Defunding Abortion Performing Organizations
For Immediate Release
Washington D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL), is a cosponsor of H.R.3495, the Women's Public Health and Safety Act. Introduced by Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), this bill allows states to exclude organizations that perform abortions from participating in Medicaid programs. Congressman Palmer voted for this bill on the House floor today. The bill passed by a vote of 236 to 193.
"We are told that no federal funding goes to abortion, but the truth is that millions of dollars are given every year to organizations that perform abortions," Palmer said. "Money is fungible. A dollar that goes to a legitimate purpose is a dollar that is freed up to pay for something else, including possibly abortion. I do not believe that any organization that performs abortions should receive federal dollars. I certainly believe that states like Alabama should be able to exclude any such organizations from their Medicaid programs."
Several states, including Alabama, have faced lawsuits for terminating their Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides abortions. These cases are still pending. According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that came out this year, Planned Parenthood alone received $1.18 billion in state and federal Medicaid dollars from 2010 to 2012.
For any additional questions, contact:
Cliff Smith, (202) 225-4921, clifford.smith@mail.house.gov
U.S. Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL) serves on three Congressional committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Budget, and Science, Space and Technology. Visit Palmer online at his website or via Facebook,Twitter, or Instagram.