[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 121 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1621]]



  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. NANCY E. BOYDA

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3043) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services; and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. BOYDA of Kansas. Madam Chairman, I have heard concerns about the 
Cincinnati area's Planned Parenthood Clinic's alleged mishandling of 
claims of abuse. This is an ongoing legal process, and we must wait for 
the verdict before determining the truth of the claim. As a mother, I 
can only imagine how difficult this time must be for the young woman.
  Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri states in their mission 
that they are ``committed to providing confidential, affordable 
reproductive health care to all individuals, regardless of their 
ability to pay.'' Planned Parenthood provides a wide array of basic 
health care services to both women and men. They offer cancer screening 
for women and men--we know that early detection can help people fight 
and win their battle with cancer. They provide confidential screenings 
for sexually transmitted diseases so that people can get treatment and 
prevent the further spread of disease. They offer counseling for women 
going through menopause on what to expect and what types of treatment 
they could consider. They diagnose infertility problems for women and 
men trying to build a family. They also conduct workshops for parents 
and youth to discuss topics related to sexuality. The workshops build 
self-esteem, promote a positive body image and build communication 
skills. They also offer a workshop called ``choices and consequences'' 
that helps youth understand what abstinence means. In the workshop, 
youth and Planned Parenthood advisors work together to identify the 
skills and knowledge that someone needs to use abstinence effectively.
  Despite the numerous types of health care services provided, Planned 
Parenthood is best known for assistance in family planning. To be 
clear, Planned Parenthood cannot use any of its Federal funding to 
perform abortions. The family planning services they provide are 
critical for women's health. Women depend on contraceptives for better 
health to regulate their menstrual cycles and treat endometriosis. 
Access to family planning services helps prevent unintended pregnancy 
and helps in the timing of planned births. If women can control when 
they become pregnant, we can significantly reduce the number of 
abortions--a goal I believe we should all support.
  Planned Parenthood's services are confidential, and perhaps more 
importantly, affordable. They provide basic health care to many of my 
constituents who might not otherwise be able to afford it. In 2005, 
Planned Parenthood served 13,601 Kansans. I will continue to support 
funding for health care for my constituents.

                          ____________________