Elana Schor at Talking Points Memo updated us yesterday on the dismaying news this week that the family planning revision has been removed from the economic stimulus:

A source present at today's White House signing ceremony for the Lilly Ledbetter bill tells me that President Obama gave assurances that the family planning aid would be done soon -- perhaps as soon as next week, when the House is set to take up a spending bill that would keep the government funded until October.

Obama emphasized that the family-planning aid "makes the budget look better, it's a money saver," the source said. In fact, removing the need for Medicaid waivers for family planning saves states an estimated $700 million over 10 years.

By removing the family-planning aid from the stimulus at Obama's request, Democrats "were giving a nod to the Republicans, believing they would act in good faith," the source added. And given how many GOPers voted for the stimulus bill, sounds like the family-planning aid is back on track.

I certainly hope so.

3 Comments

January 30, 2009 3:47 PM

[0+]  ShelbyWoo said:

I certainly hope so.

Me, too. And, let this be a lesson. Family planning should never be a bargaining chip. It's too important.

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January 30, 2009 4:04 PM

[0+]  Femgineer said:

BUT THEIR KILLING ALL THE BABYZ TO SAVE MONEYZ!

oh... wait...

I agree that this should not have been taken out in the first place.

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January 31, 2009 1:34 PM

[0+]  PamelaVee said:

given their track record...I'd say there's no "good faith" coming from this woman.

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