Planned Parenthood and the Hyde Amendment

By Emma Makoba

Recently, Planned Parenthood made the national headlines when its budget came under scrutiny and Republican legislators, including Speaker of the House, John Boehner, and House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor, sought to eliminate federal funding for the organization. The rhetoric used to justify this budget decision contained statements that could mislead those without a deeper knowledge of the organization’s funding structure and the specific guidelines set forth by the federal government about what government funding can and cannot be used for. Below is a list of myths circulating about the organization and its funding, contrasted with facts about the reality behind media statements made by legislators and other stakeholders in the issue.

Myth:  When funding Planned Parenthood, the government is supporting funding for abortions.

Fact: No federal dollars are spent to fund abortions.  Because of the Hyde Amendment, a rider annually attached to various appropriations bills, there is absolutely no federal funding that can go to abortions. Thus, any abortion-related activities provided by Planned Parenthood must be funded by private donations or other non-federal sources.

Myth:  Abortions represent 90% of services provided by Planned Parenthood (include quote from senator)

Fact: Since 1970 Planned Parenthood has received federal funding under Title X of the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act. Planned Parenthood offers contraceptives, STI/STD testing and treatment, cancer screening and prevention, abortion procedures, and other services including pregnancy tests and adoption referrals. The non-profit organization received approximately $360 million in 2009 from the federal government, while the remaining funding comes from private donors. Seventy percent of the budget for affiliate medical services goes to providing contraception and STI/STD testing and treatment. Sixteen percent is devoted to cancer screening and prevention. Eleven percent goes to other health services including pregnancy tests and adoption referral. Despite Congressman Jon Kyl’s statement made on the senate floor stating that abortion services are “well over 90 percent of what Planned Parenthood does, in actuality” only three percent of the budget goes to abortion services.

Myth:   Because the Hyde amendment was removed, Planned Parenthood’s funding was not affected in any way by the legislative controversy

Fact: The disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over this year’s budget to avoid a government shutdown, where Congress fails to enact a federal budget under a given timeframe and federal employees deemed non-essential are furloughed, were largely over policy provisions regarding abortion and environmental regulations. One of the many riders included by Republicans was a provision that sought to discontinue funding to Planned Parenthood and redirect the money instead to state health departments. This provision was formed under the premise that federal funding provided to Planned Parenthood was in fact supporting abortions. (However, as mentioned previously, due to the Hyde Amendment, this cannot occur as it is illegal). The rider proposed by Republicans to defund Planned Parenthood was removed during a compromise made between Democrats and Republicans in order to avoid a government shutdown. Instead, members of congress agreed to vote later on a separate bill to decide whether or not to defund the organization. However, the federal spending bill reduced funding for the non-profit by $17 million.

 

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