"As incredible as it sounds, Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota will open what may be the nation's first government-subsidized clinic that will refuse to provide services for the poor," said Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League.
According to media reports, Planned Parenthood plans to open an upscale express clinic in a Woodbury, Minnesota mall on June 1. According to information released by Planned Parenthood, the clinic in this well-heeled suburb of St. Paul "won't take patients on subsidized health plans if they can't pay out of pocket."
"Government subsidies for this clinic come in a number of ways," said Sedlak. "First, the government granted Planned Parenthood, which admits that it is opening this clinic to make profits, non-profit status. This status allows Planned Parenthood to buy products such as the birth control pill, which costs less than $2 for a month's supply, and sell them for 10 times that amount."
Sedlak said another government subsidy comes from the fact that Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota received over $4 million in government funding in 2004, accounting for 24 percent of its total income.
"So Planned Parenthood is using all these subsidies to underwrite the opening of this upscale clinic that has one purpose ? to make money," said Sedlak. "As pointed out in the news reports, Planned Parenthood hopes to open more of these clinics if the Woodbury clinic is profitable. Planned Parenthood is so confident of its money-making scheme that the group secured a long-term lease in a Minnesota shopping mall.
"It is time for elected officials across the country to yank all taxpayer money away from Planned Parenthood at once," he said. "The American public should not be forced to subsidize Planned Parenthood's aggressive money-grabbing ventures." Sedlak invited people who are tired of their tax dollars funding Planned Parenthood to sign American Life League's petition at www.StopPlannedParenthoodTaxFunding.com.
Release issued: 31 May 06
