Senate panel OKs Planned Parenthood funding cut

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas would bar state funding for Planned Parenthood under a bill endorsed by a Senate panel.

The Senate Health, Welfare and Labor Committee on Wednesday advanced the measure by a voice vote. It goes to the full Senate. The proposal by Republican Sen. Gary Stubblefield of Branch would ban the state from awarding grants to entities that perform abortions. It wouldn't apply to funding available through the Medicaid program.

It's unclear how much funding the state provides for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, which runs abortion clinics in Little Rock and Fayetteville.

A lobbyist representing the organization told committee members that other laws already block public funding for most abortions. She said the proposed cuts would impact other health programs for women.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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