A new law targets funds for Planned Parenthood. President Donald Trump signed a bill that lets states deny federal family planning money to abortion providers. While some support the President's move on Planned Parenthood, others disagree.

  • New law targets funds for Planned Parenthood
  • Law allows states to deny federal money to abortion providers
  • Law receives criticism and support

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, "Our federal system was set up to allow states to address the unique needs of their own populations when possible, especially when it comes to programs as important and sensitive as family planning."

Anna Eskamani is the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood Southwest Central Florida. She said for many young women, including herself, Planned Parenthood is their only health care source.

"My mom passed away when I was 13-years-old, and I had nowhere to go and no one to talk to and it was a Planned Parenthood health center by UCF that I walked into that I was welcome and felt safe," she said.

Title X federal funding was designated to give low income people access to family planning and preventative health care services. It had to be given to health care providers regardless of whether they offered abortion services. That's changed with the President's bill.

Supporters said it lets states give money to health care providers that do not provide abortions rather than those that do.

Eskamani believes the bill is dangerous to women around the country. She said more than 90% of their services involve preventative care like cancer screenings, STD treatment, vasectomies, and even hormone therapy. Abortions make up about 10 percent.

"We are much more than just a reproductive care provider. We really are a safety net provider that can catch people before they fall and help them get back on their feet," she said. 

Several states have tried to withhold funds from Planned Parenthood in recent years. We reached out to the governor’s office for comment and have not heard back.