Planned Parenthood Clinics Challenge Fla. Order; Ala. Cuts Medicaid Funding For Organization
Florida officials have ordered three clinics to stop performing second-trimester abortions. In Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley ends state Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood clinics following the release of secret tapes with Planned Parenthood officials. Meanwhile, Kansas officials say they have received no reports on the handling of fetal tissue in the 15 years that the information has been required whenever such tissue is transferred.
The Wall Street Journal:
Planned Parenthood Clinics Challenge Florida Action Against Them
Three Planned Parenthood Federation of America clinics in Florida are fighting back after Florida’s health agency ordered them to stop performing second-trimester abortions because they lacked the proper licenses. Planned Parenthood said it was in full compliance with Florida law and that the report released on Wednesday by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration falsely said the clinics performed unlicensed procedures. (Armour, 8/6)
The Associated Press:
Governor To Cut State Medicaid Money To Planned Parenthood
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said Thursday that he is cutting off state Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood in the face of undercover videos shot by anti-abortion activists that implied the group was selling fetal tissue to researchers. The Republican governor sent Planned Parenthood Southeast a letter announcing that he was terminating agreements that allowed Planned Parenthood to be reimbursed for providing health care services to Medicaid patients. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is running for GOP presidential nomination, announced a similar decision Monday. (Chandler, 8/6)
Montgomery Advertiser:
Bentley Ends Medicaid Contracts With Planned Parenthood
Gov. Robert Bentley Thursday said he was moving to end Medicaid’s contracts with Planned Parenthood, following the release of videos showing members of the organization discussing the sales of fetal parts. “As a doctor and Alabama’s governor, the issue of human life, from conception to birth and beyond, is extremely important,” Bentley said in a statement. “I respect human life and do not want Alabama to be associated with an organization that does not.” In a statement, Planned Parenthood Southeast CEO Staci Fox said the organization was disappointed Bentley had been “distracted by a deceptive attack.” (Lyman, 8/6)
Al.com:
Gov. Robert Bentley Seeks To End Medicaid Agreement With Planned Parenthood
Gov. Robert Bentley announced today he was terminating an agreement between the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood responded by issuing a statement saying, in part, that federal courts have ruled that states cannot exclude abortion providers from Medicaid. (Cason, 8/6)
The Associated Press:
No Kansas Reports On Fetal Tissue In 15 Years
Kansas has received no reports on the handling of fetal tissue in the 15 years that the information has been required whenever such tissue is transferred, the state health department has disclosed amid a national debate over abortion providers' practices. The three abortion providers in the state say they don't have programs for the legal donation of fetal tissue for research by women who've terminated their pregnancies, and follow all state and federal laws. There are also no records to indicate that any other entities, such as hospitals, have had reportable transfers. (8/6)