Christ Community Awarded Family Planning Grant

"If you want to label me a religious terrorist, that's fine. As long as I please God, it doesn't matter who I displease."

Monday saw an emotion filled meeting with Shelby County Commission considering whether to award a family planning health care contract to Christ Community Health Center.

The grant provides no funding for abortions, but much of the debate centered on pro-life versus pro-choice.

No tax dollars in the United State go to funding abortions. But, many here still wanted to see Planned Parenthood de-funded because it performs abortions.

Planned Parenthood has received the family planning grant money for years, but lost in the bidding process to Christ Community when the state turned the funding decision over to the County.

Christ community won extra points for having multiple locations and a mobile unit. Planned Parenthood has one east Memphis office.

"We can change and we need to change, because this is a better provider," said County Commissioner Chris Thomas.

Four Commissioners voted no on the contract, including Walter Bailey. He had concerns about Christ Community's religious scruples getting in the way of family planning.

"That gives me great concern. I must admit. And gives a lot of people great concern. This is a matter of concern a lot of women harbor, whether the county, through your program, would provide emergency contraception," said Bailey.

Christ Community says it is morally against the morning after pill, but will contract with a third party to provide it. Christ Community is also against abortion but says it will acknowledge it as an option during counseling.