By Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott said last week the state of Vermont will withdraw state family planning funding for Planned Parenthood when the federal government restores its Title X family planning funding to abortion providers.
In 2019, President Donald Trump stopped Title X funding for abortion providers. Planned Parenthood declined to stop performing abortions in order to qualify for the funding. Instead, the state of Vermont immediately provided $759,000 in taxpayer dollars from the General Fund to fully replace the federal money.
However, on Jan. 28 President Joe Biden reversed this policy and restored the federal funding. So Vermont Daily asked the governor at a press conference last week: “Two years ago the State of Vermont replaced in full Title X family planning funding lost by Planned Parenthood when the Trump administration said abortion providers no longer qualified. If, as seems likely, the Biden administration restores Title X funding, will you recommend the Legislature remove the estimated $800K in state funding?”
Scott replied: “If the federal governor is going to provide funding, we will take advantage of that, if we don’t have to utilize state money.”
Vermont has the lowest ranking among U.S. states for protecting the right to life of the unborn and the aged, American United for Life reported in Defending Life 2021. The report says Vermont:
- Has “legalized suicide by physician;”
- Does not provide healthcare provider freedom of conscience;
- Approved Prop 5, a constitutional amendment enshrining unrestricted abortion.
Read more of Guy Page’s reports. Vermont Daily is sponsored by True North Media.
