Taxpayer funded abortion contracts approved
Taxpayer funded abortion contracts approved
Written by Yvonne Lim Wilson Monday, 14 December 2009
Low-income women in Travis County will continue to have abortion as an option through taxpayer funds.
The board of Central Health, formerly the Travis County Healthcare District, unanimously approved contracts with Austin Women’s Health Center, Whole Woman’s Health of Austin and Planned Parenthood on Dec. 10.
The three contracts total $450,000 for one year of services in 2010; each contract is eligible for up to three renewal options to be approved annually.
“I think the board made the proper decision. It would have been a disservice to the people we serve [to not approve the contracts],” said Dr. Tom Coopwood, chairman of the Central Health board.
Board members engaged in a brief discussion about the contracts, specifically making assurances that complete, un-biased information is made available to women seeking abortions.
Patricia Young, Central Health president and CEO, said on-site inspections are made to providers to ensure complete information is provided to women seeking abortions.
Board member Clarke Heidrick said that while he personally felt abortion is wrong, the issue is not about personal opinions. Abortion is a legal procedure in this country, he said.
“We are not the Supreme Court. We are not Congress. We are not the church,” he said. “Is the continued funding of these services part of our mission? I believe it is.”
The meeting drew a packed crowd of nearly 200 people from both sides of the issue. About 61 percent of the crowd registered in opposition and 39 percent registered in support of contract renewals. During the 90-minute public testimony, 12 people were given time to speak in support and 12 people spoke against.
People against abortion made their presence known, booing and banging on walls throughout portions of pro-choice arguments. About 10,000 against the contracts have signed a petition and organizers say they are not done with their protest.
“We have mobilized and will continue to work to stop taxpayer funded abortion. We’re going to look at the budget process by the Travis County Commissioners Court because that’s where it starts,” said Christian Gonzalez, communications director for the Diocese of Austin.
With this vote, Travis County continues to be the only government entity in Texas that uses public funds for abortions. While abortion opponents cited this as a reason to cease the practice, Ken Lambrecht, president & CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region, took it as a sign of pride, saying that “we rise above and care for our citizens like no other Texas city.”
Lambrecht read a letter from one client, a 23-year old woman who recently had an abortion. With her husband serving in Afghanistan, she said she can barely afford enough food to eat for herself and her two children.
“We are in debt up to our eyeballs … we cannot support another child. This one decision does not define us,” said Lambrecht, reading from the woman’s written statement.
The Travis County Healthcare District was created in May 2004 to provide medical services for eligible, low-income county residents. The district, which combined resources from the City of Austin and Travis County, inherited the women’s health services contracts in 2005.
About 15,000 people in Travis County are enrolled in the Medical Assistance Program (MAP). Last year, 621 MAP-funded abortions funded were performed. The average cost for an abortion is about $395, plus an additional $20 for anesthesia and $50 for RH-negative injections (not for all patients).
