Gov. Scott Walker Signs Bills Targeting Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s Federal Funding
Signing Ceremony at Crisis Pregnancy Center that Provides No Medical Care and Pushes Biased ‘Counseling’ Highlights Governor’s Motivation
MILWAUKEE – Today, Gov. Scott Walker signed two bills in an effort to block access to the essential health care provided by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI). The move was the latest in a long line of attacks by the Governor and the Republican controlled state Legislature on the health of Wisconsin women and families. The Governor’s bill signing took place at a crisis pregnancy health center that provides no medical care and pushes biased counseling on women who experience unintended pregnancy.
“The political motivation behind these bills is clear. Opponents of women’s health will stop at nothing to prevent Planned Parenthood from providing much needed medical care in the community,” said Tanya Atkinson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin.
The bills take aim at PPWI’s federal funding, used to provide essential preventive health care like birth control, cancer screenings, annual wellness exams, education services and STD testing and treatment, by blocking Title X funds and significantly lowering the Medicaid reimbursements PPWI receives through the 340B prescription drug program. All family planning organizations bill the 340B program the same way, yet only Planned Parenthood was singled out by this legislation.
“Lawmakers need to understand that their actions have deeply troubling consequences for women seeking medical care,” said Atkinson. “They impact women like Christy from Hartford, who credits Planned Parenthood with saving her life after one of our providers diagnosed her cervical cancer. It’s appalling that legislators are pushing their extreme agenda without considering its dangerous effects.”
The bills cannot take effect without action by the federal government, which may thwart the intent by Republicans to close Planned Parenthood health centers.
“Planned Parenthood is Wisconsin’s oldest and most trusted nonprofit reproductive health care provider, and we’re committed to making sure our patients continue to receive the high-quality, non-judgmental health care they deserve. These political attacks won’t stop PPWI from being there for those who rely on us,” said Atkinson.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin. PPAWI engages in legislative and educational activity and works to elect candidates to office that support these goals.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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