Send a message to HHSC
During the 2005 regular legislative session, Rider 50, an amendment to the state budget, passed. It diverts $2.5 million a year away from family planning programs. Authored by Sen. Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands), this vaguely worded rider directs the state to expend these funds, "consistent with federal and state law, to implement a statewide program for women seeking alternatives to abortion focused on pregnancy support services that promote childbirth."

Anti-choice organizations fought diligently to secure these funds for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers."

What are crisis pregnancy centers?

Crisis pregnancy centers provide misinformation to women in order to discourage them from having abortions. Currently they are not licensed or inspected by any state agency to ensure standards of care or fiscal responsibility. Most often, they have no licensed medical personnel on staff.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is the agency responsible for implementation of Rider 50. The period for public input on this process ends Friday, September 23. The process by which a vendor and subcontractors are selected is posted for public comment here under Tell Me More.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: RFP #520-06-0277
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
In response to your request for public comment on Rider 50, I am writing to express my concern that the proposed vendor requirements go far beyond the intent of the legislature.
By requiring vendors and subcontractors to disassociate from any entity that promotes, advocates, counsels for, refers for, or provides abortion, this approach rules out legitimate, licensed providers of prenatal care or adoption services. This is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars and a violation of legislative intent. The Budget Conference Committee of the Legislature considered, then eliminated, similar requirements.
Clearly, outside interest groups have exerted political pressure on HHSC to ensure that only anti-choice crisis pregnancy centers will qualify for funding. Public dollars for health care are few and far between. Accountability for taxpayer dollars is too important to allow these funds to be allocated exclusively for unlicensed, fake clinics that serve as fronts for anti-choice activism.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 22, 2005

Background Information

Planned Parenthood has identified a number of problems in this process and we need for you to speak up!

The Request for Proposals (RFP) published by the HHSC outlines a process through which a single vendor will be selected to receive these funds. This single vendor must meet the following requirements:

Vendor must demonstrate that it is physically and financially completely separate from any entity that promotes, advocates, counsels for, refers for, or provides abortions.
Vendor must demonstrate or assure that all subcontractors it intends to utilize are completely physically and financially separate from any entity that advocates, counsels for, refers for, or provides abortions.

Similar restrictions appeared in the rider as originally proposed but were stripped by the Budget Conference Committee, thus making the RFP in violation of legislative intent. Clearly, HHSC is under political pressure to exclude established family planning providers from this program in order to insure that only crisis pregnancy centers will qualify for funding.

There are well-established community providers that offer prenatal care and adoption services with successful support programs for women. If these qualifications stand, such providers would be disqualified from participation.

Send a message to HHSC by Friday, September 23 and let them know that you care about accountability for taxpayer dollars!

Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Cameron and Willacy Counties, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of South Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of North Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Lubbock, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of West Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Central Texas, Inc. ~ Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle