Wisconsin Assembly votes to cut $3.5 million annually from Planned Parenthood

On Thursday, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed legislation to prohibit the state’s abortion providers from receiving Title X grant money, which would deny Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin an additional $3.5 million annually.

The vote passed 60-35 Thursday and will next be considered by the state Senate, which is also controlled by Republicans. Governor Scott Walker, who dropped out of the presidential race this week, has said he will sign it if it reaches his desk.

Wisconsin Democratic opponents have contended that the proposal would deprive women of birth control and other health services. But Wisconsin Family Action President Julaine Appling testified that the state’s Title X funds can instead be dispensed to the Wisconsin Well-Woman Program, state, county, and health health departments and clinics, and private hospitals and health centers not involved in abortion.

In July, Wisconsin Family Action also said that Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin still receives $15-$16 million in taxpayer money annually. Republican State Rep. André Jacque, who authored the bill, has also introduced legislation to prevent Planned Parenthood from overbilling Medicaid. Jacque projects that combined, the bills would eliminate at least half of that sum.