Urgent Alert 9/8/10

* * * URGENT ALERT 9/8/10 * * *

Travis County to Consider $450,000 for Property Tax-Funded Abortions

===> Please forward to pro-life email lists in Travis County <===

URGENT ACTION

Here are three ways to oppose the proposed $450,000 for elective abortions:

1. Send a message by email or fax to each of the nine members of the Central Health board of managers:
Online form: http://www.traviscountyhd.org/contact_us.html

Fax: 512.978.8156

SAMPLE MESSAGE (please use your own words):
Dear (name of board member) (see list below)

I understand that you and the other members of the board of managers of Central Health will consider spending $450,000 for elective abortions during the next fiscal year. I ask you to oppose the abortion funding; I do not want property taxes to pay for abortions. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Your name and address
Let us know you contacted the board members by emailing comments to info@texasallianceforlife.org.
2. Attend the meeting:
Please attend the meeting of the board of managers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 9, in the County Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of the Granger Building, 314 W. 11th Street in Austin. Here is a map. The meeting is open to the public. Your presence is needed to show opposition to property tax-funded abortions. There will be a person from Texas Alliance for Life there to help you.

You may also wish to give a short (3 min. max) testimony.

The meeting will be televised live on Travis County Television, local cable station 17, and streamed online.
3. Spread the word and help promote the petition:
Forward this email to church and personal lists.

Sign the "Petition Against Property Tax-Funded Abortions by the Travis County Healthcare District" at https://texasallianceforlife.org/TravisCountyPetition.aspx

For updated information, visit www.texasallianceforlife.org.

Central Health (formerly the Travis County Healthcare District) is a taxing authority created by voters in 2004 to fund health care for low-income residents. Central Health is governed by a board of managers, which must approve the abortion contracts with a separate vote. The board has nine members -- four appointed by the Travis County Commissioners, four appointed by the Austin City Council, and one jointly appointed. Each serves a four-year term. (Click on each for more information):

Thomas B Coopwood, M.D., Chairperson
Rosie Mendoza, C.P.A., Vice-Chairperson
Frank Rodriguez, Treasurer
Bobbie Barker, Secretary
Clarke Heidrick, J.D.
Donald Patrick, M.D., J.D.
Brenda Coleman-Beattie, M.A.
Anthony Haley
Katrina Daniel, R.N.

No other political subdivision (county, city, or health care district) in Texas besides the Central Health of Travis County funds elective abortions. Nor do the federal and state Medicaid programs.

The City of Austin has funded elective abortions since 1978. In 2004, Central Health took over the City's abortion contracts and renewed them at least three times.

In August 2009, Central Health approved its 2010 annual budget, which includes a $450,000 line item for "Women's Services" (abortions). The Travis County Commissioners approved the budget at their September 22, 2009, meeting including the abortion funding.

The three abortion providers with contracts to perform the elective abortions for Central Health are Planned Parenthood at 201 E. Ben White Blvd., Whole Women's Health at 8401 N. IH 35, and Austin Women's Health Center at 1902 S. IH 35. The contracts can be terminated at any time.

To see the amount of property taxes you are paying to Central Health ("TRAVIS CO HEALTHCARE DIST"), visit the Travis Central Appraisal District at www.traviscad.org.