Recently, Sen. Scott Schneider, R-Indianapolis, claimed in a column he wrote to “set the record straight” on his amendment to defund Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN). Since Sen. Schneider’s last-minute amendment was added to legislation without public comment or input, I would like to address a few of his “claims.”
Sen. Schneider claims that his amendment to defund PPIN will not result in fewer federal dollars for health care. Not true.
Gov. Mitch Daniels’ FSSA Secretary Michael Gargano has said that Indiana is at risk of losing all of its $4 million in Medicaid family planning funding due to Sen. Schneider’s amendment. In fact, federal law prohibits state Medicaid plans from discriminating against any willing provider, including PPIN. If Indiana is no longer in compliance with federal requirements, the state could lose some or all of its Medicaid dollars which could amount to much more than $4 million.
Sen. Schneider claims that his amendment will result in no loss of services for women because dollars would magically shift to other providers. Not true. He claims that 150 “other providers” will offer reproductive health care services identical to PPIN. Also not true.
According to the Indiana Family Health Council, which administers Title X federal funds, there are only 24 other centers that provide family planning and preventive health services through Title X. Because of Sen. Schneider’s amendment, women will go unserved since these centers are scattered throughout the state and not necessarily located where everyone who needs health care and contraceptives can access them.
Sen. Schneider claims that his amendment is needed to keep tax dollars from funding abortions. Not true.
In fact, none of PPIN’s federal grants are used for abortion services since it is prohibited by both federal and state laws. Funds are separated and audited regularly to comply with federal requirements. All abortion services, only 6 percent of the services PPIN provides, are paid for with private funds – not tax dollars.
Sen. Schneider’s amendment will instead increase the number of abortions by limiting access to birth control and family planning for thousands of women. PPIN provided education and contraception to over 105,000 Hoosiers last year.
Sen. Schneider claims that “no tax dollars were directed to any entity that performed abortions” prior to the Clinton administration. Not true.
Federal family planning funds became part of the budget during the Nixon administration and have for nearly four decades been allocated to Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country. Most people agree that the best way to reduce abortion is through affordable access to birth control.
Planned Parenthood provides important health care services in our communities, particularly to low-income women. Sen. Schneider’s amendment does great harm to that vulnerable population. By reducing access to family planning, there will be more unplanned pregnancies. By reducing access to preventive health services like Pap tests for cervical cancer and tests to identify sexually transmitted diseases, there will be greater incidences of disease and death.
In his zeal to forward his own agenda, Sen. Schneider has missed the real threat to society. Lack of affordable health care and family planning will add to our costs – more children born in poverty, more women with expensive and deadly diseases, and yes, more abortions. These costs to society cannot be measured.
Sen. Simpson of Ellettsville is the Democrat leader in the Indiana State Senate. She is a member of the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee.
