Thirty-eight thousand Iowans receive high quality, low cost, accessible health care from Planned Parenthood each year. Clinics offer women of all ages a full range of health care services and education: cervical and breast cancer screenings; testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases; vaccinations and contraception.
I was disappointed to read that on April 21, the Republican-controlled Iowa House passed a health and human services bill for the next budget that would have removed state funding for Planned Parenthood. Fortunately, the Democrat-controlled Senate blocked that effort.
The removal of state money would make $3 million in federal funding unavailable. Those funds provide most of the family planning services under Medicaid, the federal program which provides care to more than half a million low income and disabled Iowans. Studies have shown repeatedly that funds spent on family planning save taxpayers money in the long run.
Planned Parenthood has long been a place to turn where women could receive care whether or not they have health insurance. To be able to access health care and birth control at low cost is a right that every Iowa woman is entitled. The constant call by Republicans to “defund Planned Parenthood” means that thousands of women who can’t afford private physicians would have nowhere to get needed care.
I want all women to have access to quality affordable health care. As a candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives, I support the continued funding of Planned Parenthood so that this organization may continue to provide vital health services to women and families in Iowa.
Wes Breckenridge
Newton