The revised GOP Senate health care bill maintains the prohibition against federal funding for Planned Parenthood included in the original version of the bill.
The revised Senate GOP health care bill released Thursday maintains the one year prohibition against federal funding for Planned Parenthood that was included in the original version of the bill.
The provision prohibits federal funding of any organizations that provide abortions, except in instances of incest or rape or those in which the mother’s life is threatened.
The legislation keeps Obamacare subsidies until 2020 rather than adopting the tax credits implemented in the House passed health care bill, since limiting those tax credits to exclude abortion providers may have violated Senate budget rules.
While the one year defunding of Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers helped ensure support from the GOP’s conservative wing, it may imperil the bill’s prospects for success, as two centrist GOP senators cited Planned Parenthood defunding as a primary obstacle to their support.
Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska both voiced opposition to Planned Parenthood defunding after the release of the initial Senate health care bill. Murkowski has refrained from publicly expressing her opinion on the revised draft, while Collins has stated her opposition. (RELATED: Alaska Gets Special Treatment In Revised Health Care Bill)
Planned Parenthood, which relies on federal money for roughly 40 percent of their total funding, harshly criticized the GOP after the initial draft of the bill was released.
“If this is the Senate’s idea of a bill with heart, then the women of America should have fear struck in theirs. Slashing Medicaid and blocking millions of women from getting preventive care at Planned Parenthood is beyond heartless, ” the Planned Parenthood statement reads. “One in five women in this country rely on Planned Parenthood for care. They will not stay silent as politicians vote to take away their care and their rights.”
In response to a request for comment, Planned Parenthood directed The Daily Caller News Foundation to a statement made by Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards shortly after the revised draft was released.
“With this latest version of Trumpcare, Americans will pay more and get less, but women will pay the biggest price of all. This is, hands down, the worst bill for women in a generation, especially for low-income women and women of color, ” the statement reads.
Follow Jack on Twitter
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected] .
