Time for the Legislature to Cut Taxpayer Funding of Planned Parenthood clinics cited for violations

   As reported by the Press of Atlantic City (December 30, 2007), two Planned Parenthood clinics scheduled to receive millions of dollars in federal and state taxpayer money have been cited for health violations after the NJ Department of Health inspected the clinics following a 6 and 7 year lapse in inspections.    Planned Parenthood of Mercer County in Trenton and Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey are part of a network of organizations scheduled to receive an increase in family planning grants from the FY  ‘08 state budget which total $7.09M in state dollars and another $4.2M in federal tax dollars. 

Ironically, the NJ Department of Health, the agency responsible for inspecting these facilities, also yearly directs, and has oversight for, disbursement of millions of dollars in grant money that is allocated to these same facilities. Despite the fact that these facilities were not inspected for more than half a decade and have current citations for health violations, they have received a steady increase in funding from the state of NJ.   "It is unconscionable for the state of NJ to be rewarding entities with our tax dollars that have exhibited poor performance and place the lives and health of our citizens at risk, especially when the state is facing so many budget problems, said Marie Tasy, Executive Director of New Jersey Right to Life.”  “These facilities have not only failed miserably in their “so-called” mission to reduce teen abortions, but are placing women’s lives at risk by not complying with standard health code requirements.” 

“It is incumbent on the NJ Legislature and Governor to immediately strip Planned Parenthood of  funding from the FY  ‘08 budget and ensure that no funding be allocated to it in the FY’ 09 budget in light of these recent developments.” 

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