June 8, 2011

 

 

Dear Friend:

 

 

I received a copy of the postcard you sent to Republican Joint Finance Committee members opposing their recent action on the state budget that will affect Planned Parenthood.  I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

 

I agree with your position.  The budget provision that was approved by the Republican majority on the committee shows a complete lack of awareness when it comes to reproductive health issues.  Federal and state law already prohibits public funding for abortions.  The consequences of the budget provision are that no abortion provider in Wisconsin, nor those affiliated with abortion providers, will be able to receive a state grant targeted for women’s health programs. That means funding for women’s health services such as cervical cancer screening, annual exams, and even birth control that is provided by agencies such as Planned Parenthood would be eliminated.  The reason is that even if an agency talks about abortion as an option, but the procedure is not actually performed by that agency, funding to that agency would be eliminated.  

   

Without this funding, Planned Parenthood clinics and other health centers are at risk of closing.  These clinics are the only source of affordable health care for many people.  In addition, the 12 Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee backed the Governor’s proposal that would remove uninsured men from the BadgerCare family planning program, which provides birth control, prostate and testicular cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for HIV and STDs.  All four Democrats opposed this measure.

 

I have grave concerns that the actions by Joint Finance will leave many women and men without preventive care, leading to an increase in unintended pregnancies, undetected cancers, and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.  When the budget bill comes before the Senate, I will do all that I can to amend the budget to restore people’s access to basic health care.

 

 

Sincerely,

TIM CULLEN

STATE SENATOR