Susan Collins: "It Makes Absolutely No Sense To Eliminate Federal Funding For Planned Parenthood"

Sunday on ABC’s 'This Week,' Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins told George Stephanopoulos that it made "absolutely no sense" for Rpeublicans to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood. That is a part of the latest incarnation of the GOP's plan to repeal Obamacare. Collins is one of several Republican senators who have expressed reservations about supporting the bill. <blockquote>STEPHANOPOULOS: So that means -- if that's true, and if that is confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office, you're a no? COLLINS: I want to wait to see the CBO analysis. But I have very serious concerns about the bill. STEPHANOPOULOS: You also have concerns about Planned Parenthood. This bill would deny funding of Planned Parenthood for a year. I know you're planning on introducing an amendment with Senator Murkowski that would restore the funding for Planned Parenthood. If that amendment fails, will you oppose final passage? COLLINS: Well, first, let me say that it makes absolutely no sense to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood. There already are long-standing restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion. So that's not what this debate is about. And Planned Parenthood is an important provider of health care services, including family planning and cancer screenings for millions of Americans, particularly women. And they should be allowed to choose the health provider that they want. That's one of the issues that I care deeply about. But there are many others as well. </blockquote>