The panel voted in the face of mounting political pressure as state lawmakers investigated abortion in the state, spurred by undercover videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing the transfer of fetal tissue that anti-abortion activists released starting in July.
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Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit this week against the State of Texas for blocking its Medicaid funding.
After Abbott crowed about what he deemed Texas’ “completely end[ing] taxpayer funding [to] Planned Parenthood”, the federal government told him he and the state probably couldn’t do that. Although if it doesn’t happen before December 8, that’s when some patients could start losing out on access.
“This is the preventive well-women health care being made available to the most economically needed women in the state”, Hons said.
Health officials from Texas disclosed that eliminating funding for Medicaid and as well placing higher restrictions on abortions in the state would ensure women enjoyed better health treatments and also protect unborn children.
Independent health experts dispute the claim, saying Texas still has a long way to go before it can provide the level of service it did when Planned Parenthood was an integral part of its family-planning efforts.
Planned Parenthood is now trying to hang onto Medicaid reimbursements at its Texas clinics, including those that don’t perform abortions.
Breitbart Texas recently reported that the U.S. Supreme Court decided in mid-November to hear a lawsuit claiming that a Texas law unconstitutionally limits access to abortion in the state.
All of that, however, places too much emphasis on Planned Parenthood’s role as an abortion provider, which plays into the hands of its critics.
“There is reliable information indicating a pattern of illegal billing practices by Planned Parenthood affiliates, including you, across the state”, the letter reads.
In the group’s fourth video, Dr. Savita Ginde, vice president and medical director of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, is shown speaking to actors portraying buyers from a human biologics company.
“As is required by federal law, Medicaid enrollees may seek services from a participating provider of their choice”, the lawsuit said.
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In addition to considering its legal options, Planned Parenthood also said it was actively pursuing other physicians who now have “refer and follow” privileges and if necessary will pursue others who don’t, but could get the privileges. Planned Parenthood says that the decision was motivated by politics – and not because of health care concerns.
