Texas Terminates Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid Contracts

After several videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s participation in the sale of baby body parts were released Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his LIFE Initiative that would provide greater protections for preborn children, as well as, prevent the sale of baby body parts.  The fifth video released showed the involvement of Planned Parenthood of the Gulf Coast in Houston in the practice.

Monday, the Office of Inspector General at Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a letter ending Medicaid participation for Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas based on evidence of Medicaid program violations. The cancellation calls for funding to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers out of taxpayer money to be eliminated completely, both at the state and local levels.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal was the first to end Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood over the videos. Alabama, Arkansas, New Hampshire and Utah have taken similar measures.  Now Texas is the 6th state to terminate Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood since the videos were released.  A federal judge on Sunday evening issued a temporary restraining order blocking Louisiana from defunding Planned Parenthood.

“Texas has stepped forward and shown its unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women’s health services,” Abbott said in a released statement. “The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed in Texas and the barbaric practice must be brought to an end. As such, ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas is another step in providing greater access to safe healthcare for women while protecting our most vulnerable – the unborn.”

In the letter issued, the Office of Inspector General made the following points for ending enrollment in the Texas Medicaid program:

• That Planned Parenthood and its affiliates are no longer capable of performing medical services in a professionally competent, safe, legal and ethical manner.
• The termination of all Planned Parenthood affiliates will not affect access to care because there are thousands of alternate providers in Texas including federally qualified heath centers, Medicaid-certified rural health clinics, and other health care providers across the state that participate in the Texas Women’s Health Program and Medicaid.
• The State of Texas requests cooperation in informing all clients and potential clients of alternatives where they can obtain Medicaid services from providers in good standing with the State.