North Texas Planned Parenthood Concerned About U.S. House Decision
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Kim Schlossberg is a successful graphic artist, but for much of her youth she struggled, unable to afford health insurance.
"I worked in restaurants. I worked in retail," she said. "I couldn't afford to go to a doctor. o, Planned Parenthood was the only option I had available."
Schlossberg says she relied on the clinics' discounted services as her only source of healthcare and received her annual exams there for years.
She worries, though, women today won't have that option.
"I'm angry and very concerned about this," she said.
Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with an amendment singling out the Planned Parenthood organization.
The "Pence Amendment" would cut all federal funding, about $317 million dollars to the non-profit organization.
"It merely prohibits those funds from flowing to the largest abortion provider in America," said Rep. Mike Pence, who introduced the amendment.
Planned Parenthood has 28 clinics in North Texas, where it provides care to more than 90,000 people a year.
The law already prohibits it from using federal funds for abortion services, but the Pence Amendment seeks to take away funds for family planning and preventative care, as well.
"That's funding for birth control, for cancer screening, and HIV testing. It's funding that saves lives and they killed it," said Planned Parenthood president, Cecile Richards, in an online statement.
The organization has launched a public awareness campaign, called "I Stand With Planned Parenthood", urging supporters to sign an online petition and contact members of the U.S. Senate who will soon consider the legislation themselves.
"The cut may not stand since the Senate is controlled by Democrats," said Dr. Allan Saxe, a professor of political science at UT Arlington. "These actions do not amount to large amounts of money but are highly symbolic."
Schlossberg, though, isn't taking any chances.
"I've signed all the petitions. I've donated money. I'm talking to you," she said.
