Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2023 This bill restricts federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. or any of its affiliates or clinics for one year. Specifically, it prohibits funding those entities unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide funds to entities that perform, abortions during that year. If the certification requirement is not met, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture must recoup any federal assistance received by those entities. However, the bill's funding restriction does not apply to abortions performed in cases of rape or incest or when necessary to resolve a physical condition that endangers a woman's life. The bill also provides additional funding for community health centers for the one-year period. These funds are subject to the same abortion-related restrictions and exceptions.
The bill is designed to redirect federal health funding away from Planned Parenthood, which provides various essential services, including reproductive health and family planning services. The anticipated effect of this legislation is a significant reduction in federal support for women's health services specifically offered by Planned Parenthood, potentially leading to reduced access for women who rely on these services, especially in medically underserved areas. However, the bill also includes provisions that authorize funding for community health centers to ensure that women’s healthcare is still available during the moratorium period.
House Bill 371, known as the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2023, aims to impose a one-year moratorium on federal funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates. The bill mandates that these entities must certify that they will not perform abortions, nor provide any funding to other organizations that perform abortions, to remain eligible for federal assistance. While funding is restricted, provisions remain for certain exceptions, including cases of rape, incest, or when a woman's life is in danger, which allows for the continuation of abortions under these circumstances.
The bill has generated considerable discussion and contention among legislators and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to prevent the use of federal funds for abortions and promote alternatives through community health organizations. Detractors, however, claim that restricting funding to Planned Parenthood will endanger women’s health by limiting access to critical healthcare services they provide. Furthermore, there are concerns that the redirection of funds may not adequately compensate for the loss of services from Planned Parenthood, particularly for low-income women.