Videos Discuss Attacks on Planned Parenthood, Keenan Resignation, State Legislation, More

May 17, 2012 — The following summarizes select women's health-related videos.

Attacks on Planned Parenthood: The Texas Tribune spotlights the state's efforts to restrict funding to Planned Parenthood. Although the organization does not use public money for abortion services and is barred by law from doing so, many conservatives contend that any funding to the group indirectly "subsidizes" abortion. Family planning and other preventive services at Planned Parenthood clinics have become "caught in the crossfire," the Tribune reports, noting that the state Legislature cut $72 million for the services, while Gov. Rick Perry (R) has refused $35 million in federal Medicaid funds in order to avoid having to distribute any money to the organization (Tan, Texas Tribune, 5/10). On MSNBC, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards speaks with Andrea Mitchell about a new Arizona law that bars public funding to the group and all other organizations that offer abortion care (Mitchell, "Andrea Mitchell Reports," MSNBC, 5/9).

War on women: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow explains why the phrase "war on women" is warranted and highlights some of the most recent attacks on women's reproductive health care (Maddow [1], "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 5/14). Maddow also discusses two ongoing battles in Congress: the debate over the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and a bill by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) that would bar abortion care after 20 weeks of gestation in the District of Columbia (Maddow, "The Rachel Maddow Show," 5/16). On Current TV, comedian and author Lizz Winstead discusses her new book and how women are responding to fights over reproductive health care (Granholm, "The War Room," Current TV, 5/15).

Nancy Keenan: Current TV's Jennifer Granholm interviews NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan about the group's efforts to engage women in elections and her decision to step down at the end of the year (Granholm, "The War Room," Current TV, 5/16). Keenan also speaks with Rachel Maddow about her resignation and the importance of including younger leaders in the reproductive-rights movement (Maddow [2] "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 5/14).

'Gateway hug': Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert weighs in on a new Tennessee law that prohibits sex education instructors from discussing "gateway sexual activity." Colbert suggests the state go a step further and ban students from engaging in "gateway, gateway sexual activities," including hair flipping, eye contact and going through puberty. "I believe puberty is a choice. ... If our children lack the self-control to hold in their hormones, then we have no option but to spay and neuter them," Colbert says (Colbert, "The Colbert Report," Comedy Central, 4/18).