July 17, 2012/Washington, DC --
Today, the national pro-life Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) slammed a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion provider, seeking to block the state of Arizona from enacting the Whole Woman's Health Funding Priority Act (HB 2800). The law, co-authored by the SBA List and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), defunds abortion providers of state family planning funds. Family planning funds are prioritized away from abortion-centered businesses like Planned Parenthood to entities that provide comprehensive health care. Governor Jan Brewer signed HB 2800 into law in May.
"Arizona taxpayers have spoken through their elected representatives - they do not want their tax dollars going to abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood, which performs more than 330,000 abortions a year," said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "The Whole Woman's Health Funding Priority Act is pro-woman legislation that recognizes that women deserve access to comprehensive health care, not abortion. We are confident that the will of the people not to fund the abortion industry will prevail in court."
"The precious tax dollars of the people of Arizona should not be funneled to abortionists, especially during tough economic times," said Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom Steven H. Aden. "The members of the Arizona Legislature have worded a bill that allows them to be good stewards of the people's money in this regard. It's no surprise that Planned Parenthood would oppose that in light of their ongoing thirst for taxpayer dollars."
In February, the SBA List joined the Center for Arizona Policy, Arizona Right to Life, and other local groups to host two "Women Speak Out: Defund Planned Parenthood" press conferences in front of local Planned Parenthood abortion clinics to draw attention to the organization's abortion-centered business and calling for the passage of HB 2800. The press conferences came a day after Chuck Donovan, President of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the education and research arm of the SBA List, testified before the Arizona House Health Committee in favor of the bill.
The SBA List has led the charge to defund Planned Parenthood in the states following last year's Congressional battle, offering state groups and legislators model legislation, expert testimony, and grassroots muscle. Nine states, including Arizona, have cut Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding by more than $61.7 million since 2011.
