On August 19, Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, announced it will withdraw from the Title X federal program which provides family planning healthcare to low income Americans. Out of 4,000 Title X service sites in the nation, Planned Parenthood operates fewer than 400.
“For decades we have heard Planned Parenthood claim abortion is just three percent of their business,” says Oregon Right to Life Executive Director Lois Anderson. “Their choice to withdraw from the Title X program instead of comply with the Protect Life rule confirms they are playing fast and loose with the truth.”
Planned Parenthood receives between $50-60 million from Title X, out of the $563.8 million they received from the government in the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
“31%of the pregnancy tests administered in Planned Parenthood clinics result in an abortion,” says Anderson. “Given that many of those pregnancy tests are negatives, it is clear that the ‘family planning’ Planned Parenthood has in mind is ending the life of existing family members.”
The State of Oregon has been party to an ongoing lawsuit against the Protect Life rule. Governor Brown has announced she would refuse Title X funding if the rule goes into effect. Around 37,000 Oregonians rely on Title X funding for their family planning needs.
The Oregon Health Authority said they have not used Title X funding since July 15. If they continue to tap the general fund, they will need, on average, an additional $3.1 million annually in a budget that traditionally runs beyond capacity.
“A number of questions remain,” continued Anderson. “What is no longer a question is where Oregon’s governor’s allegiance lies: squarely with the abortion industry and not with 37,000 low-income Oregonians.”
