Lt. Governor Bolling Cuts Funding for Service He Advocated for Last Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 29, 2008 LT. GOVERNOR BOLLING CUTS FUNDING FOR SERVICE HE ADVOCATED FOR LAST YEAR Bolling’s tie-breaking vote to de-fund Planned Parenthood contradicts his cervical-cancer awareness campaign (Alexandria, VA)- NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia called on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling to explain how he could vote to cut health-care services for low-income women in the state, even though he did public-service announcements urging women to seek out cervical-cancer screenings. On Wednesday, Bolling cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of prohibiting state expenditures to Planned Parenthood, whose facilities provide a wide range of health-care services, including cervical-cancer screening. Last year, Lt. Gov. Bolling appeared in a series of public service announcements across Virginia to raise public awareness about cervical cancer. His web site advises women to seek these services and outlines the importance of early detection of cervical cancer. “Just last year Lt. Governor Bolling publicly encouraged women to seek out screenings for cervical cancer and health services, and now he has voted to cut this funding,“ said Tarina Keene, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. “Virginians are tired of these divisive attacks on reproductive healthcare. Mr. Bolling needs to explain his hypocrisy to the thousands of women in Virginia who could lose access to these essential health services due to his actions.” The budget amendment, offered by Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax), seeks to remove hundred of thousands of dollars in funding for women’s health programs, including the provision of cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and contraception. Contact: Tarina Keene, 757-287-3356
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