NC Planned Parenthood Funds Restored by Fed Judge

[teko]

http://blogs.findlaw.com/law_and_life/2011/08/nc-planned-parenthood-funds-restored-by-fed-judge.html?DCMP=NWL-cons_legalgrounds

8/23/11


In June, Planned Parenthood North Carolina met the same fate as many of its affiliates across the country, with legislators slashing funding for its family planning services and preventative health screenings.

But on Friday, a federal judge ordered the state to restore hundreds of thousands in funding promised to the organization during the upcoming fiscal year, questioning the legislature's decision to single out the group and pointing out that Planned Parenthood already can't spend government funds on abortion.


Along with Planned Parenthood North Carolina, affiliates in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Kansas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Texas, and New Jersey have faced de-funding legislation, though a judge in Kansas found such a measure unconstitutional earlier this month.

The goal of these laws has been widely publicized by supporters as a disproval of the organization based on its choice to provide abortion services.

Legislators often feel that, despite laws that prohibit the use of funds for abortion services, supporting Planned Parenthood's other services is still akin to state sponsorship of abortion.

While this may be true, both a federal judge in Kansas and, last week, a federal judge in North Carolina, have ruled that, as long as these de-funding laws focus solely on Planned Parenthood, they are unconstitutional.

Both found the Constitution, which expressly prohibits states from passing laws that exact punishment on a specified group, outlaws such de-funding legislation, which also may run afoul of federal regulations that dictate how funds must be distributed.

While this a big win for Planned Parenthood North Carolina, the ruling will almost certainly be appealed, leading to a potentially years-long legal battle.

[brice1967]

I'm a man, so I'll never have to make the decision to have or not have an abortion.  Also, I don't think I should have a say in what a woman does to her body, but this is a medical procedure.... I'd prefer to keep it in a place where only medical professionals are conducting these procedures in the safest environments out there.  I understand that having ones teeth removed isn't even close to having an abortion, but if anyone told me I couldn't have them removed and they were an issue one way or the other, I'd find a way to resolve the problem.  (Another thing to consider is that any woman who makes this decision has to live with this for the rest of her life.  I also think that woman who have a child that is unwanted and puts the child up for adoption is a beautiful thing.... that choice cannot be an easy one either, and it will be there forever as well.)

I understand that Planned Parenthood also provides services such as pelvic and breast exams, and at a cost that makes these tests attainable for those with lesser or no insurance.  I've got a mixed opinion as to where the funding comes from, but that is a different beef all together.

As childish as this sounds, if you are against abortions... don't have one, but also do not restrict others from it.  What a woman does to her body in that respect doesn't affect me.
(By the way, if I were a woman... I don't feel as if I could ever have an abortion.... but that's me.)

[bbxx]

No we dont (have a problem voicing our opinions) lol

[teko]

And sometimes shoving ideals down ones throat is not a good thing. As I said I do not agree with abortion but if I were raped by my father and found myself with child I cannot say I wouldnt be tempted either. As I said above, they provide many other services and only something like 13% of their business is abortions. They shut it down all in the name of them performing abortions at the expense of being reimbursed by the government. That was proven untru and therefore proved it is a few people on a power trip. The planned parenthoods perform many other services. As usual it is the poor people who pay the price. And I dont think any of us here have a problem voicing our opinions now do we?

[adgal]

To quote MrsPrince, right back at ya.  It's never a bad thing that we all have different ideas.  It's what keeps the world balanced and that is a positive thing!

I too think it important that Teko mentioned they provide so much more then abortion.  Choice means just that..choice, and there are alternatives to abortion.  Along with all the other services provided, it's a positive thing that they are going to keep going.

[bbxx]

Awe, thanks mrs prince !

[MrsPincince]

Right back at ya:)

[bbxx]

Ps.... I may not agree with you all on everything, but I still love you all. :)
        Arent you all glad I am too sick to vote? lol
        Actually I am leaning towards having nothing to with politics at all. I just like to say what I think....

[bbxx]

There was a time when people would sacrifice their children. It was what the majority wanted. It was legal. Along came a leader that had different ideals. He put a stop to it, even though it went against the majority.
Sometimes someone shoving ideals down the throats of others is a good thing.

[MrsPincince]

Excellent point teko. Planned Parenthood's are more than just "abortions".....

[teko]

I dont personally believe in abortion, however as far as I know the planned parenthood never did recieve money for abortions. Apart from abortions tho, they offered birth control, exams, both pelvic and breast. They also provided counseling and help to those who found themselves pregnant and wanted to keep the child.... Its just a bunch of people trying to push their ideals down the masses throats all in the name of religion. It is legal, or was as far as I know. Dictators come in many forms and with different faces. Beware.

[MrsPincince]

I think this is good.

"No matter how you feel about abortion personally, it is very important to be kept safe and legal."

I agree. Safe is the word that sticks out for me. God knows what would happen to women if it were illegal.

[bbxx]

You know... this is something that baffels me.
Abortion is legal. Its a womans right to do whatever she wants to her own body. No argument there.
So, why then do women get in trouble when the kid is born with fetal alcohol syndrome?
After all, she didnt do anything to a baby.

[adgal]

Good to hear. No matter how you feel about abortion personally, it is very important to be kept safe and legal.  Someone has to provide these services and here at least women choosing to terminate do get counseling.