(Urbandale, IA) On Saturday the Republican Party of Iowa passed a resolution calling on the defunding of Planned Parenthood. There has also been eight Republican county central committees. Today, the FAMiLY Leader Foundation launched a campaign calling on Republican Iowa Governor Terry Branstad to honor a campaign pledge to defund Planned Parenthood.
Branstad, in response to the undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood’s involvement in harvesting baby body parts for profit, ordered an audit to ensure state taxpayer money is not being used for abortion. This doesn’t defund the organization who still receives millions of dollars through state contracts.
“I certainly think for groups like Planned Parenthood who are using tax money who are involved in promoting abortion, although the money they get from the state may not be used for abortion, I don’t think the state should be funding that,” Branstad said during a 2010 gubernatorial debate on Iowa Public Television.
Branstad has also been provided with legal evidence that he has cause to terminate those contracts, particularly as Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is already under Medicaid fraud investigation.
“There are no excuses left for Branstad’s inaction,” says Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The FAMiLY LEADER Foundation. “His own party insists he act. Iowans are lighting up his phone lines demanding he act. Conscience requires he act. It’s time for Branstad to make good on his promise and defund Planned Parenthood.
“Furthermore, Iowa has over 200 women’s health clinics not affiliated with Planned Parenthood and which offer more comprehensive health care – such as mammograms and well-child services – that Planned Parenthood does not provide,” Vander Plaats adds. “Imagine what those millions in Medicaid and taxpayer dollars could do if they were used in those 200 clinics across the state instead of concentrated in only 13 Iowa communities where Planned Parenthood clinics are located.”
Watch the video released as part of the campaign:
