Planned Parenthood says it received a letter from the state announcing that it will be defunded beginning May 10. Medicaid does not cover abortions.
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Kansas health department sent a letter to Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, on Tuesday, saying that, next week, it would cut off Medicaid funding. Journalists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt were indicted by a Houston grand jury that was supposedly considering an indictment of Planned Parenthood.
Eileen Hawley, the governor’s spokeswoman, said in an e-mail Wednesday that the governor called for this action “in order to protect the unborn and support a culture of life in Kansas”. The Kansas and Mid-Missouri chapter was specifically cleared of any wrongdoing by a state agency.
The agency cited noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations, noncompliance with its Medicaid provider agreement and “unethical or unprofessional conduct”.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Planned Parenthood may be forced to lay off staff, reduce hours or close a health center due to the elimination of its Medicaid funds.
We hope the courts reject the bogus reasons given by the Brownback administration to defund Planned Parenthood.
The health department official’s March 10 letter cited videos secretly recorded and released previous year by an anti-abortion group that show Planned Parenthood officials elsewhere talking about the handling of fetal tissues.
“Providing the full range of women’s health services neither disqualifies a provider from participating in the Medicaid program, nor is the provision of such services inconsistent with the best interests of the beneficiary, and shall not be grounds for a state’s action against a provider in the Medicaid program”, she wrote. “The State’s allegations provide no possible legitimate basis to terminate any of the current or former provider plaintiffs”, the lawsuit states.
According to the AP, past litigation against states trying to remove Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid participation have generally ended in the abortion provider’s favor.
“Medicaid recipients have the right to receive services from any Medicaid-eligible provider”, the ACLU statement read.
“By withdrawing these funds, which were not used for abortions, all you’re doing is taking away primary healthcare for women”, Kelly said.
The Obama administration – a longtime friend to Planned Parenthood – has threatened states that have passed laws defunding the abortion giant and, most recently, warned all 50 states that it considers cutting off Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid funding a violation of federal law.
Documents examined by a special House panel investigating fetal tissue practices have revealed Planned Parenthood is likely profiting from the sale of baby body parts. The organization has about a month to request a review of the decision. Marci Francisco (D-Lawrence) once again tried to amend SB 436 to create a new revenue stream for Planned Parenthood.
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Planned Parenthood announced March 22 that it was expanding access to the abortion pill in Wichita as well as treatments for menopause and HIV prevention medicine along with transgender care.
