California to give health clinics $20
million to counter possible Trump cuts
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[June 17, 2017]
By Lisa Lambert
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - California on Monday
will announce plans to award $20 million in emergency grants to local
health and Planned Parenthood clinics in anticipation of possible U.S.
healthcare funding cuts, according to State Treasurer John Chiang's
office.
California and more than a dozen other Democratic-leaning states are
fighting against regulatory changes and policies coming from Republican
President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
The grants are intended to buy time for state lawmakers to address
potential shortfalls caused by federal attempts to undo the Affordable
Health Care Act, commonly called Obamacare, and to eliminate funding for
women’s health and for contraception, the state said.
A California financing program will provide money for the grants, said
Treasurer spokesman Marc Lifsher.
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"The Community Clinic Lifeline Grant Program will help small or rural
nonprofit clinics, including Planned Parenthood clinics, keep their
doors open and provide critical services," according to an announcement
the Treasurer's office posted on Friday.
Planned Parenthood, a national non-profit that provides contraception,
health screenings and abortions, and the country's long-standing divide
over abortion are at the heart of the state's move. Planned Parenthood
representatives will join Chiang in unveiling the grant program, the
announcement said.
Republicans generally oppose abortion. Recently, they approved a measure
in Congress to allow states to block Planned Parenthood from receiving
federal reproductive health funds. By law the funds cannot be used for
abortions, but former Democratic President Barack Obama had ensured some
money would go to Planned Parenthood clinics.
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![](../images/061717pics/news_I19.jpg)
Demonstrators protest over the repeal and replacement of Obamacare
outside the offices of Republican congressman Darryl Issa in Vista,
California, U.S., March 7, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake
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Actual federal funding reductions are still a while off.
In his recent proposed budget President Donald Trump called for
slashing health and human services spending, and the Obamacare
repeal the House of Representatives passed in April would eliminate
federal funds for Planned Parenthood. But those moves do not have
the force of law yet.
No other state appears to be developing a similar grant program.
(Reporting by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
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