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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Ind. Gov't. - More on "Abortion bill could pass today: Pact to cut off state funds to Planned Parenthood clears way" [Updated]

HB 1210, the abortion restrictions / defund Planned Parenthoood bill, in the form it passed the Senate, has late this afternoon been approved by the House, and it is on its way to the Governor.

The vote was 66 to 32. Here is the roll call. [Update: According to the April 28th IndyStar story:

Seven Democrats voted with Republicans to approve the bill: Dave Cheatham, North Vernon; Chet Dobis, Merrillville; Terry Goodin, Austin; Sheila Klinker, Lafayette; Chuck Moseley, Portage; Steven Stemler, Jeffersonville; and Peggy Welch, Bloomington.

No Republican voted against the bill.]

SECTION 1 of the bill is the Planned Parenthood defunding provision. Note that this SECTION is effective upon passage -- that means as soon as it is signed by the Governor, if he signs it.

For background, start with this entry from earlier today.

[More] See also this story by Angela Mapes Turner of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Here are some quotes:

Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington, ultimately voted for the bill but expressed concern if Planned Parenthood was stripped of its funding, the non-profit might be forced to close some locations or cut services, which include pap smears, breast exams and birth control.

Reps. P. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, and Matthew Ubelhor, R-Bloomfield, showed a handmade map of the state’s Planned Parenthood clinics and other sexual health clinics but said they weren’t sure if the other clinics would be able to absorb Planned Parenthood’s clients should the organization cut services.

Turner said the bill doesn’t prevent Planned Parenthood from operating in the state and said the bill will go toward his goal of making Indiana one of the most “pro-life” states in the country.

Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, said the bill had gone beyond “pro-life” goals with the addition of the Planned Parenthood provision. “I’m not voting against the right-to-life,” Bauer said. “I’m voting against the politicization of something many people hold religiously dear. There are many of these clinics that do give women lives.”

Rep. Win Moses, D-Fort Wayne, called the legislation an attack against women, particularly poor- and middle-class women who seek low-cost care.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on April 27, 2011 06:03 PM
Posted to Indiana Government