[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E249-E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE LOWEY AMENDMENT TO
                                 H.R. 1

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2011

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this amendment to 
restore funding to Title X family planning.
  By slashing Title X family planning services in the budget, 
Republicans risk the lives and safety of millions of American women. 
These proposed cuts to family planning represent the opening salvo in 
an all-out war on women's health. I ask you to join with me and with my 
colleagues to restore this vital funding to Title X family planning.
  Five million men and women depend on Title X providers for important 
preventive health care. Among other services, they received 2.3 million 
breast exams, 2.2 million cervical cancer screenings, and nearly 1 
million HIV tests. These services prevent fatal illness; and for those 
who do have the misfortune to contract HIV/AIDS or cancer, Title X 
providers ensure that they receive life-saving

[[Page E250]]

treatment early, when it has the greatest potential for good.
  The proposed cuts in H.R. 1 would eviscerate these life-saving 
services.
  While these cuts to family planning were proposed under the guise of 
being ``fiscally responsible,'' that is far from the truth.
  For every dollar invested in Title X family planning services, 
taxpayers save just under $4. Cutting family planning is not fiscally 
responsible, and will not reduce the bottom line.
  Moreover, this cut has nothing to do with ending funding for 
abortions, despite claims to the contrary. Title X family planning 
funds simply do not fund abortions. If we want to reduce the number of 
abortions in this country, the methodology is clear--empower women to 
prevent unintended pregnancies through education and access to 
contraception. And, that is precisely what family planning funding 
does.
  In my home State of New York, cuts to Planned Parenthood would impact 
209,410 patients. Just last year, Planned Parenthood provided 70,490 
screenings for cervical cancer in New York, detecting 7,931 abnormal 
results requiring medical action. Another 67,957 women received breast 
exams. 138,501 tests for chlamydia helped to avert the leading cause of 
preventable infertility in America today. New Yorkers stand to lose 
valuable health services.
  Instead of cutting vital health care services, we should focus on 
rebuilding our economy and creating jobs.

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