New Anti-Choice Laws Are Strangling Roe v. Wade

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Defunding Raises Questions The extent to which defunding Planned Parenthood can actually increase state-budget strain is raised by Planned Parenthood of Indiana. It says cutting off its ${esc.dollar}3 million in government funding--for services that included contraception--would cost the state ${esc.dollar}68 million in Medicaid expenses for unintended pregnancies. A 2008 study by the Guttmacher Institute, which tracks reproductive health policy nationwide, found that 31 percent of Indiana women who need contraceptives have those needs met. That's 10 percentage points lower than the national average. The Indiana bill goes back to the House for approval. That body has approved a version of the bill that did not contain the measure to defund Planned Parenthood. The governor will review the final language if it reaches his desk, his spokesperson said. The threats to Planned Parenthood extend to its international arm. On April 20, Andrew Mayeda and Jeremy Warren reported on Canadian defunding threats to International Planned Parenthood Federation, which is funded through the Canadian International Development Agency. Their story ran in numerous Canadian publications including the Montreal Gazette. The federation operates in six world regions and promotes sexual and reproductive health rights while providing health services, including education and HIV/AIDS and abortion services. Abortions make up about 3 percent of the services Planned Parenthood provides nationwide. No taxpayer money pays for the procedure, which is covered with patient fees and private donations, but it does pay for contraception and disease screening.