Hamilton County commissioners today will consider whether to approve funds for a family planning program at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, but it is uncertain they will bend to public outcry about the issue.
Earlier this month, commissioners nearly removed the bulk of funds from family planning over confusion about whether the health department provides the “abortion pill.” The health department does not provide any form of abortion, but commissioners became concerned when department Administrator Becky Barnes told commissioners the department dispenses the morning-after pill, a contraceptive.
After the vote, commissioners received numerous calls and emails about the issue. Six commissioners initially voted “no” on a grant that provided the bulk of the Health Department’s family planning funding, before reconsidering and tabling the vote until this week.
Barnes said Tuesday that she plans to give a presentation to commissioners today that will “present what family planning is.
“What does the family planning program provide? What does the family planning program not provide? And family planning service benefits to Hamilton County,” she said.