Wis. Senate Panel OKs Bills To Strip Planned Parenthood Funding

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state Senate's health committee has approved a pair of bills that would strip Planned Parenthood of federal funding and raise its Medicaid expenses.

One measure would require the state to apply for $3.5 million in federal Title X grant money, which currently all goes to Planned Parenthood. The bill would forbid abortion providers from getting any of that money and instead give it to health departments and the state's Well Woman program, which provides breast and cervical cancer screenings. The bill passed the full state Assembly in September.

The other proposal would cost Planned Parenthood about $4 million annually by raising the cost of birth control drugs it receives through Medicaid.

The committee approved both bills on 3-2 party line votes Tuesday, clearing the way for Senate floor votes.