Remember this is what Planned Parenthood wants you to think when they get gutless Democrats like Ed Houck to do their bidding for them: 

Good news! The final version of the Biennial Budget will be voted on today and it does not include these two harmful amendments:

• Planned Parenthood funding restriction: Prohibits Planned Parenthood from receiving state funding to provide prevention health care, including low-cost gynecological care, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment and birth control. Introduced by Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-37).
• Medicaid funding restriction: Further restricts Medicaid funding for abortions to circumstances when the woman’s life is at risk, or the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. It prohibits funding for women whose health is at risk or have pregnancies with serious problems. Introduced by Del. Bob Marshall (R-13).

With your help, we defeated these extremist attacks on family planning services and women’s health. Thank you for sending messages and stories to the members of the Budget Conference Commitee, as well as letters to the editor to newspapers across the commonwealth. You can read some of the media coverage and letters on our website at http://www.ppav.org/ppinthenews.html.

Now we need to thank our friends on the Budget Conference Committee who fought hard for women’s health. Here are actions you can take:

Thank these legislators

Senator Dick Saslaw district35@sov.state.va.us or (804) 698-7535
Senator Edd Houck district17@sov.state.va.us or (804) 698-7517
Senator Janet Howell district32@sov.state.va.us or (804) 698-7532
Delegate Johnny Joannou (804) 698-1079

Send a letter to editor

Write a letter thanking these legislators, telling people what Planned Parenthood’s services are about and shaming the legislators that made these attacks on family planning services and women’s health. Email Becky.Reid@pphsinc.org to get started.

What’s next?

We are finally done with the Generall Assembly Session in Richmond. For an overview of all the legislation we battled for and against, see http://www.ppav.org/keyissues/2008billchart.html. Now, it’s time to work on Congress and restoring affordable birth control!

Tell Congress: Restore Affordable Birth Control NOW!

Because of a technical error made by Congress in 2005, the cost of birth control has sky rocketed on college campuses and in health centers across the country. Women who were paying $5 to $10 per month are now paying $40 to $50 for the same prescription. For the college students and low-income women affected by this cost hike, that’s no small matter.

Congress has had more than enough time to fix the mistake — needlessly jeopardizing women’s health. Send a message to key legislators in Virginia asking them to support the Prevention Through Affordable Access Act (SR 2347 / HR 4054).  

AMERICAN LIFE LEAGUE CALLS FOR NATIONAL
INVESTIGATION OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD

 Following California scandal, Planned Parenthood billing practices throughout the nation in question

WASHINGTON, D.C. (11 March 200 — In the wake of fraud allegations against Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, American Life League calls on state attorneys general across the nation to investigate the possibility of fraud in other states.

“Every state’s attorney general should be alarmed by Planned Parenthood’s apparent $180 million fraud against California,” said Andrew Flusche, staff attorney for American Life League.  “Attorneys general have the duty to protect their citizens from fraudulent practices by government contractors.  Planned Parenthood’s practices in California should prompt immediate nationwide investigations into the way it bills each state.”

Earlier this week, a federal whistleblower lawsuit filed under the federal False Claims Act was unsealed following a review from the U.S. attorney’s office.  The lawsuit, which was filed in 2005 by former vice-president of Planned Parenthood-Los Angeles Victor Gonzalez, alleges that nine Planned Parenthood affiliates in California defrauded state and federal taxpayers to the tune of at least $180 million.

“The lawsuit reveals a 2004 state audit where Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties over-billed California by $5.2 million in 2003,” continued Flusche.  “During that same period, the entire Planned Parenthood Federation received $265.2 million of taxpayer money.  How can the American taxpayers believe that the other 107 affiliates are following the law?”

Flusche announced that American Life League is monitoring the situation closely and requesting over 150 other groups fighting Planned Parenthood to call for investigations of Planned Parenthood affiliates in their own states.“Planned Parenthood’s activity is a slap in the face to all taxpayers in this country,” concluded Flusche.  “Our attorneys general must demand accountability for Planned Parenthood’s actions and ensure that the taxpayers are not being defrauded.”

American Life League was co-founded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and it is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to natural death.  For more information or press inquiries, please contact Michael Hichborn at 540.659.4171 or at 540.226.9178.