Now that Sen. Mike Foley’s true motives have been exposed, state senators should reverse the damage they did to women’s health services at his urging.

Earlier this week, Foley convinced senators to go along with a proposed change in the bid system used for deciding where to spend state money for testing for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases.

Foley said the change he proposed was in the best interest of women because it would open the door to more providers. Objections that his real goal was to cut funding for family planning services were “nonsense,” Foley said.

His arguments prevailed, despite protestations from opponents that Foley was being disingenuous. His amendment was approved on a 29-6 vote. In addition, funding was increased from $519,000 to $750,000.

But then a letter that he drafted and sent to a few supporters was made public. In that letter, Foley said that his amendment would cut disbursement of funds to Planned Parenthood. He asked supporters to pray that his amendment would succeed.

Understandably, senators were upset. “I believe we were deliberately deceived,” said Sen. Don Pederson of North

Platte.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness,” said Sen. Joel Johnson of Kearney, using one of the Ten Commandments to admonish his colleague.

For about 15 years, funding for Pap smears and chlamydia testing has gone to family planning clinics across the state. The clinics provide a full range of health care for low-income women, including birth control and information about abortion services. The clinics originally sought state funding so they could provide services to more low-income women.

Under Foley’s change, the money could be diverted to other applicants who might provide only limited services, meaning that after testing, women would have to go elsewhere for contraceptive products or even minor treatment for precancerous conditions.

In addition, withdrawal of funding would force some smaller family planning clinics in the state to close, according to Korby Gilbertson, lobbyist for the Family Planning Council of Nebraska Agencies.

Once Foley’s real intentions were revealed, he was unapologetic, saying he has been open about his dislike of the family planning agencies.

His tactics are outrageous.

Rather than helping women, Foley’s amendment would damage the existing network of providers and leave women uncertain where to go for issues relating to contraception and reproductive health.

Senators should scrap the change in the funding system. Duplicity should not be rewarded. The change in funding advocated by Foley is not in the best interests of women’s health in Nebraska.