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Planned Parenthood contract up for vote

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On Wednesday, June 29 the New Hampshire Executive Council will vote on a contract to provide $550,000 to Planned Parenthood for family planning services.

Last year the Executive Council voted to end the contract after a series of videos appeared to show national Planned Parenthood employees discussing providing fetal tissue to medial researchers.  Although the videos were found to be edited, opponents maintain that the government should not send taxpayer funds to an organization that provides abortions.  

Planned Parenthood strictly segregates any state funds from abortion procedures.  According to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the state funding is used for “physical exams, breast and cervical cancer screening, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing and treatment, contraception, infertility assessment, pregnancy testing, and counseling and education.” 

In requesting the Executive Council’s approval, DHHS Commissioner Jeffrey Meyers wrote, “Should the Governor and Executive Council not approve this request, low-income, uninsured individuals may not have access to contraceptive services and preventive health services which may increase economic disparities and financial instability that results from unintended pregnancies.”  

Councilors Colin Van Ostern and Chris Pappas support the contract, while Councilors Dave Wheeler and Joseph Kenney oppose the contract.  Councilor John Sununu will likely cast the deciding vote on Wednesday. 

Although Sununu has approved Planned Parenthood contracts in the past, last year he voted against state funding and asked the state to look for alternative organizations to provide family planning services.

“Serious ethical and legal questions have been raised nationally about Planned Parenthood,” Sununu said at the time. “New Hamp­shire would not even be considering approving such a contract if it were not for the political influence that Planned Parenthood has.” 

Do you think the state should provide funding to Planned Parenthood?  Let us know in the comments.

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