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WEBVTT HUNDREDS OF WOMEN DRESSED PINK, CHANTING, "OUR BODIES, OURCHOICE," CROWDED IN TO HAVETHEIR SAY.LISA BLUBAUGH WAS A PLANNEDPARENTHOOD PATIENT.>> A WEEK AFTER I TURNED 16, IGOT RAPED BY A COWORKER,AND FORTUNATELY, A FRIEND TALKEDME INTO GOING TO PLANNEDPLAN -- INTO PLANNED PARENTHOODTO GET TESTED.THEY MADE SURE I HAD THE CARE INEEDED. >> THERE ARE 5,287 NAMES ON THISPETITION AND IT REPRESENTS THEVOICES OF 74% OF IOWANS WHOOPPOSE THE FUNDING PLANNEDPARENTHOOD.-- OPPOSE DEFUNDINGPLANNEDPARENTHOOD.CYNTHIA: THE MEASURE WOULD CUTOFF REIMBURSEMENTS FROM MEDICAIDFOR ANY ABORTION PROVIDER.IOWA RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE IOWACATHOLIC CONFERENCE SPOKE INSUPPORT.>> WE RECOGNIZE THIS OPPORTUNITYPROVIDES MORE WOMEN MORECHOICES.>> WE BELIEVE LIFE IS SACRED,AND A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT, ANDABORTION IS A DIRECT ASSAULT ONLIVES AND DIGNITY OF WOMEN ANDCHILDREN. CYNTHIA: SENATOR JANET PETERSEN,THE ONLY DEMOCRAT ON THESUBCOMMITTEE, ARGUES PLANNEDPARENTHOOD DOES NOT RECEIVE ANYGOVERNMENT MONEY TO PERFORMABORTIONS.>> THE BILL TAKES AWAY HEALTHCARE SERVICES FROM 80,000 WOMENWHO HAVE BEEN PARTOF THE IOWAFAMILY PLANNING NETWORK.CYNTHIA: AFTER JUST 30 MINUTES,SENATOR AMY SINCLAIR RECOMMENDEDIT FOR PASSAGE.>> SENATOR SHULTZ, WOULD YOULIKE TO SIGN?

Advertisement After 30-minute discussion, panel approves plan to defund Planned Parenthood A Senate subcommittee approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off family planning funds for any abortion provider in the state. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A Senate subcommittee approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off family planning funds for any abortion provider in the state. Hundreds of women, dressed in pink and chanting, “Our bodies, our choice,” crowded at the statehouse to have their say. Lisa Blubaugh, a former Planned Parenthood patient, shared her story with the subcommittee. "A week after I turned 16, I got raped by a co-worker,” Blubaugh told the subcommittee. “Fortunately, a friend talked me into going to Planned Parenthood to get tested, and they made sure I had the care that I needed.” “There are 5,287 names on this petition, and it represents the voices of the 74 percent of Iowans who oppose defunding Planned Parenthood,” said Suzanna DeBaca, of Planned Parenthood. The measure would cut off reimbursements from Medicaid for any abortion provider. Representatives from Iowa Right to Life and the Iowa Catholic Conference spoke in support of the bill. “We recognize this opportunity provides more women more choices, and so we're thankful for you,” Iowa Right to Life representative Jennifer Bowen said. “We believe life is sacred and a fundamental right and abortion is a direct assault on lives and dignity of women and children,” said. Joan Thompson, of the Iowa Catholic Conference. State Senator Janet Petersen, the only Democrat on the subcommittee, argued that Planned Parenthood does not receive any government money to perform abortions. “The bill takes away health care services from 80,000 women who have been part of the Iowa Family Planning Network," Petersen said. Senator Amy Sinclair recommended the bill for passage after the 30-minute discussion. Planned Parenthood argued the bill will cause a rise in the number of teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions. The bill now moves on to a full committee, which could take it up for debate later this week