Mae Flexer

Flexer Response to Fasano on Planned Parenthood Funding

Today, State Senator Mae Flexer released the following statement in response to Senator Fasano’s comments on the Senate Democratic plan to provide state funding for Planned Parenthood:

“As Senate Democrats stated in the letter to Commissioner McCaw, the one thing we could not prepare for in this past budget was the irrational and harmful actions of President Trump. A full and accurate reading of state statute that Senator Fasano references shows that the Department of Social Services in fact does not have the ability to offset this loss in federal funding. Planned Parenthood voluntarily chose to no longer accept Title X funding in order to avoid the new gag rule that the Trump administration attached to Title X. The gag rule prevents Planned Parenthood from offering full and medically accurate health care. The federal government did not explicitly reduce funding, which is required under current state law. Therefore, action is required to protect women’s health care in Connecticut from President Trump.

“If Senate Republicans would like to join Senate Democrats in denouncing the actions and policies of President Trump we would welcome their support. Having full bipartisan support of Planned Parenthood and the services they provide in this state and across the country would send a strong message to the Trump administration.”

For more information on the Senate Democratic plan, click here.