Saline County Commissioners chose not to reverse a decision to not accept a state grant to fund long activating versatile contraceptive birth control. As a large crowd of citizens and media looked on, commissioners Tuesday afternoon indicated they were not prepared to reverse the decision made two weeks ago.

Commission Chairman Randy Duncan said they do have until June 30th to still accept the grant. He indicated that he would like to further discuss the issue with county health professionals before reconsidering the original decision.

Two weeks ago, with a unanimous 3 – 0 vote, commissioners denied a request from the Saline County Health Department to accept a $6,064 state grant to fund the internal contraceptives. Commissioner John Price was vehemently against the request, saying “I think it’s murder and I’m not standing for it”.

Last week over a dozen people spoke on the topic, including two doctors, urging the commission to reconsider and instead accept the grant money.

Commissioners took up the issue during a study session Tuesday afternoon. Health department director Bronson Farmer spoke, explained the role of the health department. He asked commissioners to reconsider and accept the funding.

Farmer said debate of the issue has lost its focus. It shouldn’t be an abortion issue, but rather a health issue he said, adding “our job is to provide public health services and let citizens make their own decisions”.