Repeatedly our NH Executive Council has voted to defund Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, the Equality Heath Center and Lovering Health Center. Last week brought no change to the 4-1 votes of the past. The four Republican councilors’ reasons for not supporting these vital healthcare clinics has been that these centers use state and federal funds to provide abortions. State audits clearly have shown that is not true. Yet, the councilors claim that public funding provides heat and electricity for the buildings.

What we see here are Republican executive councilors putting their ideologies above the welfare of individuals, many most in need. With their votes, the councilors reject annual exams, cancer screening, infectious disease testing and treatment, birth control and health education. They base their votes on an anti-abortion platform that stands on misinformation, claiming that family planning dollars are used for abortion. It seems an irony that those who are anti-abortion are also anti-birth control care. Also, why would those who hold privacy in such high regard, show such disregard when it comes to the privacy of a physician and a woman making a difficult decision about her health?

Oge Young

Concord