After the Utah legislation lowered the DUI limit across the state earlier this month, many were beginning to doubt how genuine our state really is. Then, they followed that up with a law that requires every restaurant in the state to hang "signs" in their windows distinguishing their facility as a bar or a restaurant. Yes, really. Just when everyone thought that Governor Herbert was the ultimate buzz-kill, he surprised us with a move that ACTUALLY makes sense.
On April 28th, Governor Herbert filed a document that would prevent the state of Utah from defunding the health organization, Planned Parenthood. The documents state that, "Herbert and Utah Department of Health Director Joseph Miner — and their successors — are "permanently enjoined from defunding and denying funding to" the organization "on impermissible constitutional grounds." (Salt Lake Tribune)
The decision comes as a shock to many, because Governor Herbert cut thousands of dollars in funding to the health care provider in August of 2015. Funding to planned parenthood was cut due to the release of the controversial fetal-tissue videos. These videos were later proved to be fabricated. Although the funding cuts did not effect pregnancy or STD screenings, the budget cuts were still felt by the provider state wide, until the defunding was blocked by a federal judge: reinstating funding to all Planned Parenthood centers.
The "rule"put in place by the judge was in place by President Barack Obama until April 13th, when President Donald Trump signed a legislation that allows all states to defund Planned Parenthood once again. Naturally, this came as a concern to women across the state, and on a nation-wide level. Aside from providing pregnancy screenings and STD testing, the center also provides cancer screenings, and access to cheaper birth control for women everywhere.
When President Trump made his decision on the 13th, he removed the rule that states would allow funding for "family planning services, including contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, fertility, pregnancy care, and breast and cervical cancer screening, to qualified health providers, regardless of whether the providers also performed abortions." (Salt Lake Tribune)
Fortunately, the agreement set in place by Utah governor would ensure that funding for these services would still be provided. In other words, women of Utah: we have a victory!
While you may not be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner anymore (at least not if you plan on driving) thanks to changes in DUI laws, at least you can rest assured that you (and other women across the state!) will have access to services at Planned Parenthood should you need them. Utah, you've redeemed yourself! (slightly!)
