What one of my puke reps says about Planned Parenthood..

[and-justice-for-all]

Thank you for your contacting me with your comments and concerns regarding funding Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPA). As your Congressman, it is beneficial for me to hear your thoughts on this important issue.



Regardless of one's moral, religious, or personal views on abortion, many can agree that they do not want their tax dollars subsidizing abortions. Funding for PPA has been distorted and miscast as a women's health funding issue, when in fact it is an issue of the federal government subsidizing the organization providing the highest number of abortion services in the nation. As a cardiothoracic surgeon, I know the importance of women's access to critical cancer screenings, HIV and STD testing, as well as other necessary health services provided by both PPA and other hospitals and health clinics. There are a number of other local health clinics that offer the same services as PPA, while not using federal funding for abortions. I am fully supportive of these very vital hospitals and clinics.



Unfortunately, PPA has complicated the issue by mingling these critical health services together with a disturbingly prolific abortion practice. PPA is the single leading provider of abortions in the United States, performing over 330,000 abortions in 2009. PPA's public relations image campaign leads people to believe that abortion is a minimal aspect of what they do. But the facts reveal that since 1990, the number of abortions performed annually across the U.S. has declined by 25 percent, while the number performed at PPA clinics annually has doubled over the same time period. During this timeframe, PPA has gone from performing only 8 percent of abortions annually to more than one out of every four. PPA's federal government funding has doubled since 1998, and every year the number of abortions they provide increases. The claims they make in an effort to buy public approval and legitimacy, such as the idea that "more funding for PPA actually prevents abortions," are factually inaccurate.



There has also been misinformation that this applies to abortions that are made in cases of rape, incest, and pregnancies that are life threatening to the mother. In H.R. 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, Section 308 explicitly states theses limitations do not apply to abortions "if the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest" or "in the case where a woman suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the woman in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself."



For these reasons, I supported H.R. 3, which passed the House on May 4, 2011, and awaits further review in the Senate.



Although we may not agree on this issue, it was good to hear from you and I am sure we can find common ground in the future. Please do not hesitate to contact me any time you have an issue of concern before Congress. Also, feel free to visit my website at bucshon.house.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter to receive updates from Washington. It is an honor to serve you and the people of the 8th District of Indiana.





Sincerely,

Larry Bucshon
Member of Congress

[MissB]

1. so is he ignoring that anti-abortion protesters tend to close

small clinics, leaving PP virtually the only game in town? Is he ignoring the link between abstinence education and increased abortion rates?

What a nut he is.

[and-justice-for-all]

3. Pukes have no realationship with reality...nt

[barbtries]

2. thanks for sharing.

maybe when you respond you can let him know that he's lost your vote and the vote of every woman you know. that may not be true but then republicans should be the last people in the fucking WORLD to bitch if they get lied to.

[moriah]

4. So, the fact that abortions have declined across the country means Planned Parenthood is failing?

Republican logic. What an oxymoron.