Today, on the last day before crossover, the Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 1090. Patroned by Delegate Ben Cline, the bill prohibits public funding of clinics that provide abortions for cases other than rape, incest, or life-endangerment.
The language of this bill makes it clear that the patron is attempting to single out Planned Parenthood and its affiliates, which provide various health services such as cancer screenings, birth control consultations, and even primary care services.
The bill passed on a 64-35 vote.
“Access to adequate health care is a basic need for a healthy, viable workforce,” said David J. Toscano, Democratic Leader. “Bills like HB 1090 are distractions that attempt to play partisan politics with Virginians’ health, as opposed to being focused on keeping our workforce healthy to continue building the New Virginia Economy.”
“Restricting a woman’s access to safe, affordable health care choices is just another way that House Republicans are trying to impose their personal feelings on abortion onto all Virginia women,” said Charniele Herring, Democratic Caucus Chair. “This question shouldn’t even be about abortion – it should be about the thousands of women who receive cancer screenings and family planning consultations. It should be about keeping Virginia women healthy and find opportunity in the New Virginia Economy. Voting to remove this critical funding is voting against a woman’s ability to access the healthcare of her choice, and support and raise a healthy family in the Commonwealth.”
BACKGROUND
- Planned Parenthood provides many services for men and women. In 2014, Virginia’s Planned Parenthood health centers provided services for more than 22,176 patients.
- 1 in 5 American women will receive services at Planned Parenthood in her lifetime.
- HB 1090 is yet another attack on women’s access to safe health care options. Over 60 such attacks been introduced in the General Assembly since 2010.
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