N.H. Council Rejects Planned Parenthood Funding

The Republican-led Executive Council in New Hampshire has rejected roughly $650,000 in state funding for Planned Parenthood to provide health services such as contraception, STD testing and counseling.

The debate Wednesday comes amid national scrutiny over Planned Parenthood's policies regarding voluntary fetal tissue donation for medical research. GOP councilor Chris Sununu, who has supported Planned Parenthood in the past, voted against the contract, saying the state should be investigating the practices of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. The group does not offer voluntary tissue donation in New Hampshire.

The council did approve contracts for family planning services with the Concord Feminist Health Center, the Joan G. Lovering Health Center on the Seacoast and Weeks' Medical Center in the North Country.

This vote eliminates about a third of Planned Parenthood's funding, as it also receives money through federal contracts.