In a controversial move, Governor Herbert has ordered the state of Utah to no longer fund Planned Parenthood. While Utah Planned Parenthood locations will continue to receive federal funding, they will take a major hit no longer having the state funding that allowed them to provide so many free services to women, none of which included abortion in the state of Utah.

Governor Herbert acknowleged that no Planned Parenthood in the state of Utah performs abortions in the following statement: “Current Utah state law prohibits the use of state funds to provide abortions by Planned Parenthood or any other organization. The federal government has provided grants to Planned Parenthood, distributed through the Utah Department of Health. These funds are also prohibited from being used to perform abortions. In light of ongoing concerns about the organization, I have instructed state agencies to cease acting as an intermediary for pass-through federal funds to Planned Parenthood.”

Governor Herbert’s decision doesn’t affect the organization of Planned Parenthood nearly as it affects the thousands of women in our state seeking affordable health care. Not only does planned parenthood prevent pregnancies through their free/cost-reduced birth control, they also provide women’s wellness services and gynecological care.

We at UT-AWP stand with Planned Parenthood because we believe in affordable women’s healthcare.