Will President Bush sign an executive order banning the use of federal funds for some family planning services? Almost 80 conservative groups are urging Bush to ban Title X federal fund for family planning groups that provide information about abortion.
Planned Parenthood, that means you. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin has sent out an alert about the potential ban. According to the group, roughly 55,000 low-income Wisconsin residents access health care services through Title X each yearservices such breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, STI testing, HIV tests and birth control. Planned Parenthood says that the ban would place these services in jeopardy. No Title X funds are used for abortion services, and supporters stress its cost-saving and health-promoting benefits.
The program was created during the Nixon administration, but President Reagan created a gag order that prevented Title X providers from counseling women about all of their pregnancy options. President Clinton lifted the ban. Will Bush, in his final months in office, use his waning power to appease ultraconservative groups that need to be mobilized in November?
