New Hampshire delegation praises Planned Parenthood grant

The federal government is sending $500,000 to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, which has struggled with the loss of state funding in New Hampshire.

The state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation said Friday the Title X Dire Need Grant will help offset funding losses over the last few years, both as a result of Trump administration rules and the New Hampshire Executive Council’s repeated votes to reject state contracts.

Members of the delegation said the money will help ensure Planned Parenthood continues to provide essential health services, including cancer screenings and family planning. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, and Reps. Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, had written to federal officials supporting the grant application.

The Republican-led Executive Council has repeatedly voted against funding for Planned Parenthood and two other New Hampshire health clinics based on unfounded concerns that public money is being used for abortions.