January 27, 2009
UPDATE: The Associated Press reports that the contraceptive funding may be on its way out after Congressional Republicans and other oraganizations challenged the idea:
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic officials say House leaders are seriously considering deleting family planning funds for the low-income from an economic stimulus bill headed for a vote later in the week.
These Democrats say the Obama administration made the request for the change. Republicans have been critical of the provision, which is included in the $825 billion bill.
Under the provision, states would no longer have to seek permission from the federal government to provide family planning services — including contraceptives — as part of the Medicaid program for the low-income.
The Democratic officials declined to be identified by name, saying they were not authorized to disclose the developments.
January 26, 2009
It’s hard to believe, but Nancy Pelosi thinks less children in the world right now would be a good thing. According to her, kids are a burden to budget-strapped state governments. Programs like health care and education are too expensive, she says.
From an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopolous:
Transcript:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?
PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children’s health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those – one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that?
PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy.
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