President Trump Will Allow States to Deny Clinics That Perform Abortions Federal Funds

Among one of then-President Barack Obama’s moves centralizing federal power was when he prohibited states from defunding Planned Parenthood. Why should the federal government have authority over what state budget funds go towards? They shouldn’t – but that was irrelevant for Obama.

Prior to Obama’s rules, Texas had defended Planned Parenthood – and had plenty of success in replacing it with women’s health clinics that didn’t provide abortion. Of course, Obama didn’t want states to be able to choose their own destiny – and the Trump administration just undid that.

Donald Trump signed legislation on Thursday reversing an Obama-era rule that banned states from withholding federal funds from clinics that provide abortions.

Trump signed H.J. Res. 43 two weeks after the Senate approved the legislation 51-50 with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. States can now block funding that would go to facilities like Planned Parenthood.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma said Thursday that the president’s signature “shows he is keeping his campaign promises.”

“It’s an important step for the administration that shows they want states to be in charge of the decision making,” Verma told reporters.

Why shouldn’t states have the ability to defund Planned Parenthood? Do they not have the right to decide what their state budgets decide to spent money on? Regardless of your opinion on the issue, Planned Parenthood funding isn’t a Constitutional issue – and is thus up to the decision of the states.

Obama’s rules required state and local governments distribute federal Title X funding for services related to contraception, fertility, pregnancy care and cervical cancer screenings to health providers, with the kicker being that States must fund these services regardless of whether or not the providers also perform abortions. Liberals have tried to portray Republicans as being “anti-contraception,” when in reality they’re just anti-abortion. The only reason contraception is even in the debate at all is because of liberals.

In reality, people that want to defund Planned Parenthood want to do so because of their abortion stance. In its absense, the other 13,000+ womens health clinics would be funded.

H/T The Daily Caller

Do you support what President Trump just did to allow states to deny federal funds from clinics that provide abortions? Share your thoughts below!

By Matt

Matt is the co-founder of Unbiased America and a freelance writer specializing in economics and politics. He’s been published... More about Matt

Mentioned in this article: