Lawmakers spar over using state money for contraceptives
Senators spent two hours covering familiar ground during a debate Thursday over whether the state should provide money to school health clinics.
Although it wasn’t a traditional pro-life-pro-choice debate, there was a hint of it — some bashing of Planned Parenthood and some concern about teenagers and contraception.
“We will have Planned Parenthood in the schools handing out their brand of services,” said Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton, who wanted to make sure no state funding is used for contraception services in school-based clinics.
Supporters of the bill (LB469) said Fulton’s attack was misguided.
“This is not about contraceptives. It is not about abortion. It is about giving information,” said Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, sponsor of the bill.
The bill would allow the state to give grants to school-based clinics from tobacco settlement money now used for other health-related programs. Current law prohibits the money from being used for the clinics. It also specifically bans money being used for abortions and abortion counseling or referral.
The debate came on an amendment by Fulton that would have banned using any of the state money for “school-based contraception services.”
Fulton said his amendment was in part a response to fear that Planned Parenthood would become involved in school clinics. He said he had received voter literature from Planned Parenthood Voters of Nebraska saying why they endorse in local elections. The literature said school board races are important because local school boards determine whether to establish school-based clinics and what services are permitted, he said.
He suggested senators go to a Planned Parenthood Web site called Teenwire.com to see what that group believes reproductive health services should include.
“I think it is inappropriate for teens and inappropriate for public funds,” he said of the information on that site.
Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, who supported Fulton’s amendment, said he had heard horror stories about Planned Parenthood’s teaching examples.
“I can’t even repeat them on the floor,” he said.
But supporters of the measure said ignoring contraception is not appropriate and Planned Parenthood isn’t the issue.
“I am pro-life,” Omaha Sen. Tom White said. “If you are seriously opposed to abortion, the most dangerous thing you can do is promote ignorance.”
White contended the Fulton amendment promoted ignorance.
“Ignorance causes abortions,” he said.
Lincoln Sen. Danielle Nantkes said she was disappointed opponents were trying to make the bill a pro-life-pro-choice issue when it is not.
“Contrary to conventional wisdom, support remains strong for comprehensive services. What we are talking about here is access to information,” she said.
She called the discussion about Planned Parenthood an “unnecessary, unprovoked cheap shot about quality health-care providers.”
Since there is only one school-based health clinic program, run by the Sisters of St. Francis in Grand Island, the debate was primarily symbolic. Nuns involved in that health clinic asked senators to change state law so their program could apply for state funding.
Senators eventually rejected Fulton’s amendment and gave the measure 36-8 second-round approval.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
Although it wasn’t a traditional pro-life-pro-choice debate, there was a hint of it — some bashing of Planned Parenthood and some concern about teenagers and contraception.
“We will have Planned Parenthood in the schools handing out their brand of services,” said Lincoln Sen. Tony Fulton, who wanted to make sure no state funding is used for contraception services in school-based clinics.
Supporters of the bill (LB469) said Fulton’s attack was misguided.
“This is not about contraceptives. It is not about abortion. It is about giving information,” said Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, sponsor of the bill.
The bill would allow the state to give grants to school-based clinics from tobacco settlement money now used for other health-related programs. Current law prohibits the money from being used for the clinics. It also specifically bans money being used for abortions and abortion counseling or referral.
The debate came on an amendment by Fulton that would have banned using any of the state money for “school-based contraception services.”
Fulton said his amendment was in part a response to fear that Planned Parenthood would become involved in school clinics. He said he had received voter literature from Planned Parenthood Voters of Nebraska saying why they endorse in local elections. The literature said school board races are important because local school boards determine whether to establish school-based clinics and what services are permitted, he said.
He suggested senators go to a Planned Parenthood Web site called Teenwire.com to see what that group believes reproductive health services should include.
“I think it is inappropriate for teens and inappropriate for public funds,” he said of the information on that site.
Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing, who supported Fulton’s amendment, said he had heard horror stories about Planned Parenthood’s teaching examples.
“I can’t even repeat them on the floor,” he said.
But supporters of the measure said ignoring contraception is not appropriate and Planned Parenthood isn’t the issue.
“I am pro-life,” Omaha Sen. Tom White said. “If you are seriously opposed to abortion, the most dangerous thing you can do is promote ignorance.”
White contended the Fulton amendment promoted ignorance.
“Ignorance causes abortions,” he said.
Lincoln Sen. Danielle Nantkes said she was disappointed opponents were trying to make the bill a pro-life-pro-choice issue when it is not.
“Contrary to conventional wisdom, support remains strong for comprehensive services. What we are talking about here is access to information,” she said.
She called the discussion about Planned Parenthood an “unnecessary, unprovoked cheap shot about quality health-care providers.”
Since there is only one school-based health clinic program, run by the Sisters of St. Francis in Grand Island, the debate was primarily symbolic. Nuns involved in that health clinic asked senators to change state law so their program could apply for state funding.
Senators eventually rejected Fulton’s amendment and gave the measure 36-8 second-round approval.
Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.
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