Tom Loftus

@TomLoftus_CJ

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Described as a “small, but important, measure to protect unborn life," a Senate committee on Thursday approved the bill that would put Planned Parenthood at the end of the line in getting federal family planning dollars that come to Kentucky.

The Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee approved Senate Bill 8 on an 8-3 vote and it now goes to the Senate floor.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, said the bill would also "deny access to any state and local funds as well” for the "nation’s largest abortion provider."

The committee vote came in spite of testimony from five women, including a representative of Planned Parenthood and a doctor, who said that Planned Parenthood does not now perform abortions in Kentucky but does provide sorely needed health and family planning services to women who cannot get the same care elsewhere.

“Planned Parenthood serves more than 7,000 patients a year, a vast majority being low-income women of child-bearing age," said Tamarra Wieder, director of external affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky. "... Through the combination of our health and education services, Planned Parenthood does more than anyone else to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and the number of abortions."

Past coverage

► Bill targets Planned Parenthood, maybe churches

► Gifts to Ky. ACLU, others jump after election

The main provision of the bill would set up a three-tiered system for distributing federal family planning funds in Kentucky. Public health clinics and federally qualified health centers would be first, non-public entities that provide comprehensive health services in addition to family planning would be second, and groups like Planned Parenthood would be last, Wise said.

As the last priority, Planned Parenthood would be unlikely to get any of the federal family planning funds, Wise said.

Wise added a provision Thursday that says the bill would not take effect until Congress repeals a regulation established late in the Obama administration that blocks states from establishing such tiers. Wise said he expects Congress to do so as soon as this week.

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Wise said that a year ago Planned Parenthood voluntarily withdrew its application for the federal family planning funds, but that it could reapply for them.

Wise noted that his bill does not affect federal Medicaid dollars that go to Planned Parenthood in Kentucky.

Earlier this session the General Assembly passed two bills affecting a woman's access to abortion that Gov. Matt Bevin immediately signed into law.

One bans abortions beginning in the 20th week of pregnancy unless the life of the mother is in danger. The other requires a woman seeking an abortion to be shown an ultrasound and have the images described to her before having an abortion. The ultrasound bill is being challenged in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Reporter Tom Loftus can be reached at (502) 875-5136 or tloftus@courier-journal.com.