Standing up against choice?

We can't understand why Gloria Feldt of Planned Parenthood Federation of America is throwing a hissy fit over the fact that some federation workers in Illinois are being given choice of health care plans.

After all, isn't Planned Parenthood all about choice?

Oh, we forgot. Not when the choice fails to include killing the unborn.

Seems 27 counties now offer as one alternative a Catholic-based health plan that does not cover contraceptives, abortion or fertility treatment. It's part of the new "faith-based initiative" program coming out of Washington, D.C. This health program, called OSF HealthPlans is run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Third Order. (Oh dear, that's probably another little problem for the apparently misnamed Miss Gloria!)

According to a release today from the CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious and Civil Rights, Miss Gloria said the plan was an “inappropriate” use of federal funds, one that “is blatantly designed to foster one religion’s point of view.”

TRANSLATION: "Our abortion clinics won't make one thin dime under this plan."

William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, had this point of view:

“The taxpayers are forced to fork over a quarter-billion dollars of federal funds each year to support Planned Parenthood’s agenda. But all of a sudden the officials at the so-called pro-choice organization feel threatened by some Catholic nuns and want to deny federal workers freedom of choice. So much for truth in advertising.

“Planned Parenthood is afraid the OSF HealthPlans initiative might catch on, which is why they’d like to kill it now. Having just lost to President Bush—Planned Parenthood Action Fund supported Senator Kerry—the abortion-friendly group fears the country is turning against them. It is. This is one ‘Sister Act’ all Catholics can savor.”

Maybe there's hope for this country yet.