Sacramento, Calif., Jun 18, 2009 / 01:33 am
California’s budget crisis has prompted Planned Parenthood affiliates to fight proposed rollbacks in state programs which fund the organization. The organization has praised a budget committee for rejecting the proposed cuts and is trying to rally further opposition to budget changes through a publicity campaign.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had proposed to roll back a rate increase for the Family PACT program, the California Catholic Daily reports. It provides free “family planning” services to qualified recipients under the state’s Medi-Cal system. Though it does not pay for surgical abortions, it provides the “morning after pill,” a drug some believe to have abortifacient properties.
The governor, announcing the proposed cuts, noted that Health and Human Services is the second-largest part of California’s general fund.
His proposal would have saved $36.8 million by reducing reimbursement rates paid to agencies like Planned Parenthood that provide services under the program. It is reportedly a major source for Planned Parenthood’s annual revenues.