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GOP-led Iowa Senate OKs bill to defund Planned Parenthood

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February 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Republican-controlled Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would pass up millions in federal dollars in order to avoid giving state funding to Planned Parenthood. The Senate voted 30-20 along party lines to approve the bill. It now goes to the GOP-led House, where it has support.

The bill proposes Iowa give up nearly $3 million in Medicaid money to create a state-run family planning program that excludes funding for organizations that perform abortions. No family planning money now funds abortions.

Iowa now contributes about $480,000, generating a $2.9 million federal match. The bill would shift all expenses to the state. Republican lawmakers didn’t address how Iowa would pay for the new program, costing at least $3.4 million. Gov. Terry Branstad supports using federal funding now spent on-risk youth.