A "Win" of Sorts for Planned Parenthood Even as it is Attacked Yet Again

I have blogged many times over the years about the threats to women's reproductive health. In the U.S., the recent threats come from well-to-do white male politicians who want to make sure that the government does not support the one national program offering reproductive health care services to women--Planned Parenthood. The Obamacare replacement bill that was pulled from consideration before a vote could be taken on it last week contained provisions to defund Planned Parenthood, but The Hill reports that yesterday House Speaker Paul Ryan suggested that they had a new plan to defund it through a "reconciliation bill."

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said Tuesday that Congress shouldn’t try to defund Planned Parenthood in a measure to fund the government, but instead should use a separate healthcare reform bill.

“We think reconciliation is the tool, because that gets it into law,” Ryan told reporters in response to a question about Planned Parenthood funding.

“Reconciliation is the way to go,” he added, referring to a legislative process that prevents the Senate from filibustering legislation that doesn’t impact federal debt.

We'll have to see how this plays out, but in the meantime it was encouraging that anti-abortion activists who falsely accused Planned Parenthood of selling baby parts were indicted in California on 15 different charges. Whether or not you approve of abortion, you cannot possibly approve of this kind of illegal activity organized with the intent of preventing a legal activity.