Indiana's GOP-led state legislature was one of the first to declare war against Planned Parenthood in 2011, when it passed a bill that defunded the family planning provider because some of its clinics offer abortion services. A federal judge later blocked that law from going into effect, but the state has continued to slash various sources of funding to Planned Parenthood at a time when the cost of operating a medical facility continues to rise. In 2005, Planned Parenthood of Indiana received a total of $3.3 million in funding from government contracts and grants. By 2014, that funding had dropped to $1.9 million. Five of Planned Parenthood’s smaller clinics in the state -- the health centers in Scottsburg, Madison, Richmond, Bedford and Warsaw -- were unable to keep up with the growing technology costs that were necessary to remain competitive as a medical provider. All five clinics that were forced to close had offered HIV testing. None had offered abortions. Stauffer said if the Planned Parenthood facilities in Scottsburg and Madison, both in southwest rural Indiana, had received the funding they needed to stay open, they could have been a vital resource in preventing the current HIV outbreak. snip "We applaud the state’s public health officials in acting to address this epidemic, but we also encourage our legislators to adequately fund public health efforts to protect all Hoosiers from future health crises from HIV and other devastating outcomes," said Stauffer. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) has warned that the HIV outbreak amounts to an epidemic. Last week, he broke with previous policy to create a temporary needle-exchange program to stem the tide. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Was Planned Parenthood the only place they could go to get STD testing? I seriously doubt that. Around here there are several places besides the county health department that offer STD/HIV testing for free. Lack of testing isn't what spreads HIV. If one is serious about getting tested they will do it Planned Parenthood or not.
Bobby Jindal Uncomfortable With Laws Banning LGBT Discrimination WASHINGTON -- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) defended the rights of private businesses to deny some services to same-sex couples and expressed discomfort at providing nondiscrimination protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
Some of our ET brethren are confused about what should be the role of government in a country. Let me try to shed some light for those living in darkness. Here are some areas where the government should be involved: 1. Military. 2. Post Office. 3. Social Security. 4. Road building. Here's ONE area where the government has no business: PRIVATE BUSINESS. GET IT?: PRIVATE BUSINESS Now, if the government wants to start, for example, "USA Bakeries", or "USA Pizza Shops", etc., then that's a whole 'nother discussion. Hope this helps relieve the minds of some here. BSAM ADDICTED TO FREEDOM
Are LGBT individuals a federally protected class? Until they are than states should not be providing non discrimination protections for them. Jindal is quite correct, non discrimination measures are only put in place when there is an extraordinary and compelling case for protection at a nationwide level. State protected classes should be strictly aligned with federal law.
Perhaps you've hit on a very important point. It makes no sense whatsoever that treatment of LGBT individuals should vary from State to State. What would make sense would be simply to amend Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and add LGBT individuals to the federal EEOC non-discrimination statement. That would be consistent with the inevitable acceptance of gay marriages in all 50 States (once the Court puts this issue to bed.). Let's bring an end to this otherwise endless haranguing so we can move on to issues more important to the vast majority of us.
Brother Pie...Would you be in favor of me having 7 wives and provide me with all federal protections?