Hundreds In Abilene To Be Impacted By Planned Parenthood Defunding
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: September 5, 2012
Representatives from planned parenthood have asked for an appeal after a Texas court ruling allowed officials to take away their state funding.
More than 100,000 women within the state use services provided by Planned Parenthood, including women here in the Big Country.
It's been an option for women here in the Big Country for more than a decade.
"It has been there for us," said Abilene resident Jennipher Holt.
However, that could all soon change.
That's after a Texas court ruling okay-ed eliminating state funding for women's health programs that offer abortions like Planned Parenthood.
About 2500 women use the services provided at the Abilene location.
"Regular checkups, like I've had problems with my birth control where I wasn't able to see my primary care physican because i didnt have insurance," said Holt.
Not everyone is disappointed with the decision.
"I was really proud," said Mary Gill, an active member of West Texans for Life.
She's often prayed and protested in front of the building.
"If they didn't do abortion, I think it would be fine," said Gill about the services provided by Planned Parenthood.
Gill isn't against affordable healthcare for women, just not at places like Planned Parenthood.
"There is a list of resources here in town," she said.
Representatives from the entity are afraid of the hundreds of women who depend on the funds for care.
"It's local women that are poor that have relied on this assistance to help them , those are the women that are gonna be searching if this program is pulled," said Carla Holeva, a representative of Planned Parenthood West Texas based out of Midland.
That includes Holt who will now have to look for other options just in case.
"To be honest we would be forced to sit in the hospital waiting room to be checked on," she said.
Representatives from planned parenthood say their doors will remain open, no matter the outcome.
Members of West Texas for Life say they'll be heading to Planned Parenthood for their annual 40 days for Life event which starts Sept. 26.
They'll be standing outside the facilities from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. praying and protesting.
More than 100,000 women within the state use services provided by Planned Parenthood, including women here in the Big Country.
It's been an option for women here in the Big Country for more than a decade.
"It has been there for us," said Abilene resident Jennipher Holt.
However, that could all soon change.
That's after a Texas court ruling okay-ed eliminating state funding for women's health programs that offer abortions like Planned Parenthood.
About 2500 women use the services provided at the Abilene location.
"Regular checkups, like I've had problems with my birth control where I wasn't able to see my primary care physican because i didnt have insurance," said Holt.
Not everyone is disappointed with the decision.
"I was really proud," said Mary Gill, an active member of West Texans for Life.
She's often prayed and protested in front of the building.
"If they didn't do abortion, I think it would be fine," said Gill about the services provided by Planned Parenthood.
Gill isn't against affordable healthcare for women, just not at places like Planned Parenthood.
"There is a list of resources here in town," she said.
Representatives from the entity are afraid of the hundreds of women who depend on the funds for care.
"It's local women that are poor that have relied on this assistance to help them , those are the women that are gonna be searching if this program is pulled," said Carla Holeva, a representative of Planned Parenthood West Texas based out of Midland.
That includes Holt who will now have to look for other options just in case.
"To be honest we would be forced to sit in the hospital waiting room to be checked on," she said.
Representatives from planned parenthood say their doors will remain open, no matter the outcome.
Members of West Texas for Life say they'll be heading to Planned Parenthood for their annual 40 days for Life event which starts Sept. 26.
They'll be standing outside the facilities from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. praying and protesting.
