MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced a grant of $395,000 a year for the next three years to Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region.
A news release said the money will provide Title X family planning services, including birth control and related health care, annual wellness exams and cancer screenings and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
Planned Parenthood in Memphis said it had provided these services for more than 30 years until last year when county health officials awarded the funding to Christ Community Health Services.
Meanwhile, the Susan B. Anthony List criticized the federal grant in a news release, calling Planned Parenthood "America's largest abortion provider."
"While we are disappointed that any tax funding would be directed to private organizations promoting and profiting from the killing of unborn children, this end run around the people of Tennessee will serve to underscore the urgent need to elect a pro-life president, Senate and Congress in November," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.
9th District Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) responded by stating, “I support Roe v. Wade, a woman’s right to choose, and believe that health care decisions should remain between a patient and their doctor... Planned Parenthood provides various cancer screenings, family planning and education services, STD prevention, AIDS counseling and other vital health care services that are important to Memphis and Shelby County. According to the nonpartisan, nonprofit Factcheck.org, abortions represent three percent of total services provided by Planned Parenthood, and roughly 10 percent of its clients received an abortion. The group does receive federal funding but the money cannot be used for abortions by law.”
