Arizona Senate approves funding ban for groups like Planned Parenthood that perform abortions
The state senate has voted to prohibit state money or contracts from going to organizations that perform abortions. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie has more.
MARK BRODIE: The bill would limit where public money for family planning could go: to state-owned health care facilities, hospitals, rural health centers and primary care physicians. State law already prevents taxpayer money from being used for abortions, unless it’s to save the mother’s life. But supporters of this latest measure say public money that goes to groups that perform abortions, as well as other services, indirectly subsidizes abortion. In a statement, Planned Parenthood of Arizona accuses state lawmakers of “cynically targeting family planning providers -- including Planned Parenthood -- at the expense of men, women and teens.” Tuesday’s vote in the Senate was 18 to eight, and means the bill is ready to go to the governor. But that might not happen right away, since Governor Brewer has told legislative leaders she’ll veto any bills they send to her before there’s a deal on a new state budget.
