LifeSiteNews: Obama admin: ‘strong preference’ given to pro-abort groups for anti-sex trafficking grants

Change we can believe in?

U.S. Health officials are prioritizing abortion-friendly clinics over pro-life and religious facilities in handing out grants to help sex trafficking victims.

Bob Laird, a fellow of HLI America and former Executive Director of the Catholic non-profit Divine Mercy Care, reported on new language used in a recent request for grant proposals issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a column for the Washington Times on Thursday.

The document on the HHS website tells grant petitioners: “Taking into consideration the particular health risks posed to victims of trafficking, preference will be given to grantees ... that will offer all victims referral to medical providers who can provide or refer for ... family planning services and the full range of legally permissible gynecological and obstetric care.”

While applicants whose values make them “unwilling to provide all of the services and referrals” referenced are still eligible, notes HHS, the Administration for Children and Families will give “strong preference” to applicants willing to refer for all the services, including family planning.

“This is government-speak that means this: If you do not provide or refer for abortion or contraception, you will receive no money,” wrote Laird.