Opponents: PA Bill Would Defund Planned Parenthood

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A state Senate committee has advanced legislation that opponents say is an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania.

Republican state Senator John Eichelberger indicates his bill would prioritize funding for women's health to direct money to providers that offer more services than Planned Parenthood.

"They should be justifying why they deserve to have this tax money if they're not helping people in these communities to the extent that other agencies can help them."

But Philadelphia Democrat Vincent Hughes says the services offered by Planned Parenthood are "top of the line" compared to other providers.

"This is a direct shot on Planned Parenthood. This limits access to health care services in communities all across the state of Pennsylvania, in urban communities, in rural communities."

Hughes contends the legislation is part of a national political strategy. The bill was passed out of the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday on a mostly party-line vote.