From Barry Chase, head of our local Planned Parenthood office:
Attacks on Planned Parenthood patients in Tennessee have intensified. I received notification on December 28 from the Director of the Tennessee Department of Health that although we had been informed that we would receive HIV prevention and Syphilis prevention funding to provide these services to our clients, we were suddenly not approved and would not receive any of the grant monies previously promised for 2012.
We have been providing HIV testing, counseling and education with these federal funds since 1999. The United Way administers the grant in Shelby County and when I asked them why, they had no reason. When I asked the Department of Health staff supervising this area why, they had no reason. It seems this was an entirely political decision designed to hurt the people of Shelby County by denying them their most qualified and most trusted provider of health care.
This continues what seems like a concerted effort in Tennessee and Shelby County to hurt Planned Parenthood and the patients we serve. And we want you to know THE TRUTH.
Please continue your support in all its various forms. This latest news of our HIV and Syphilis prevention funding loss will not hold Planned Parenthood back. We’re here.
To donate online, click here.
Barry Chase, CEO Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region
