Paul Ryan Says GOP Will Defund Planned Parenthood

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Efforts to stop federal dollars from reaching Planned Parenthood led to a government shutdown in 2013.

January 6, 2017

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House Speaker Paul Ryan said Republicans would try to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood early this year as part of the GOP’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, reports CNN.

Although the vast majority of federal funds that go to Planned Parenthood are used for women’s health issues such as breast cancer screenings, HIV prevention and testing, birth control and preventive health care, Republicans want to end all financial support because Planned Parenthood also provides abortions. Under the so-called Hyde Amendment (named for Representative Harry Hyde) attached to funding bills, no federal dollars can go to any programs that also provide abortions.

When the GOP tried a similar move in 2013, it resulted in a 16-day shutdown of the government. CNN reports that similar efforts this year will be contentious as well. (The article includes a video of Ryan’s announcement.)

To learn more about how Planned Parenthood offers HIV-related services to women and men, read the POZ cover story “Sexual Health Care for All.”

Read more articles from POZ, here.