O.C. Supervisors suck it up and restore funding to Planned Parenthood

“Orange County supervisors voted Tuesday to reinstate a health education contract with Planned Parenthood that they had suspended last month after a debate over abortion,” according to the O.C. Register.

But don’t celebrate just yet – the Talibani Republican Supervisors also rigged the grant process specifically to hurt Planned Parenthood in the future:

It also prevents any tobacco grant money from being spent on abortions, and says the grants can’t fund services provided in the same location where abortions are performed. Clinics that offer counseling and family planning services where abortion is discussed must account for the grant money separately to ensure none of the money can be spent on abortion counseling or referrals.

So why did the Supervisors reverse themselves?  Supervisor Janet Nguyen released a statement that indicated that “After conferring with County Counsel, we believe we face a risk of liability and costly litigation.” John Moorlach and Bill Campbell stubbornly voted against Planned Parenthood – again.

Here is Planned Parenthood’s official response to all of this:

For immediate release

Contact: Stephanie Kight

714.633.6373

Planned Parenthood unveils breast health care plan
New program will fully comply with the new TSR provisions approved by the
Orange County Board of Supervisors’ today

SANTA ANA, CA – Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties is today celebrating the reinstatement of the health education contract that the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to suspend on March 10. More than 3,400 supporters nationwide, including activist groups, teen health advocates, concerned parents and citizens, insisted that the board keep their personal ideology to themselves and do what they were elected to do — represent their constituents and make decisions that are in the best interest of the public.

With one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state, and an alarming increase in teen’s with sexually transmitted infections, the county is in desperate need of prevention education programs that teach young adults to protect themselves. Planned Parenthood has been providing these programs for more than 40 years in Orange County.

“We are in the midst of an epidemic of STDs among young people in Orange County,” says Jon Dunn, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties. “There were more than 8,300 cases of Chlamydia reported in the county in 2008, an increase of 34% over the number of cases reported in 2004. More than 80% of Chlamydia cases are among young people ages 15 to 29, the target population for our health education programs and clinical services.”

However, while the board today righted a wrong that should never have even made it to a vote, it has continued its quest to withhold county funds from Planned Parenthood by adopting provisions that are burdensome to the community clinics in Orange County’s health care safety net, and severely impact the scope of services that they can provide.
“The Health Care Agency’s recommendations are reckless and irresponsible,” Dunn says. “Targeting TSR funds toward the critical health care needs of the county is just a hollow excuse to eliminate Planned Parenthood’s funding under TSR. However, we will not be deterred by their persistent bias against us. This week, we will submit a grant proposal for next year’s TSR funds that will be fully compliant with the policies set forth in today’s meeting — second-level breast health care for underserved and uninsured young women in Orange County.”
The grant for this program will be submitted by this Friday’s TSR grant proposal deadline. For additional information about the Planned Parenthood’s second-level breast health care program and details of the care, please call Stephanie Kight.
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Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties provides confidential, affordable, high-quality reproductive health care and fights for your fundamental right to determine your own destiny. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our work are essential, and enable you to make responsible and informed choices through comprehensive, honest sex education and health information.


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