Planned Parenthood Vows To Fight After Texas Cuts-Off Medicaid Funding
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AUSTIN (CBS11) - The State of Texas wants to cut-off medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
The state Health and Human Service Commission's Office of Inspector General notified the organization Monday.
A Planned Parenthood representative, Kelly Hart vowed to fight. "We are going to do everything we can to keep this from happening because we know there are thousands of women in the state of Texas who rely on us as their primary care provider."
The state's action is being celebrated by those in pro-life groups, including Cathie Adams of the Texas Eagle Forum. "I think when we look at a half billion dollars of taxpayers' money going to Planned Parenthood from the federal government, that's enough. I hope that's reduced and eliminated altogether."
It's planning to eliminate medicaid funding for the organization's Texas affiliates because of the undercover videos from the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress showing officials discussing harvesting fetal tissue.
Hart discounts the videos, "Which have already proven to be fraudulent, heavily edited, and not trustworthy."
Adams says, "I think it's very interesting that Planned Parenthood says they're not doing this, this is all fabricated and yet, now they say we're going to stop doing this."
Because of tight budgets four years ago, Texas cut back two-thirds of its family planning funding statewide.
The money was restored two years ago, but not for Planned Parenthood.
The organization has 39 clinics across the state. They provide health screenings and exams and contraception. Abortions are performed in five of the clinics, but Planned Parenthood says there are no programs involving the donation of fetal tissue in Texas.
So if it's Medicaid funding is now cut, Planned Parenthood says it will have to rely on private health insurance, grants, patient fees and private donations.
Hart says, "They're targeting Planned Parenthood but in their zeal to target Planned Parenthood, the true victims in this are the men and women who rely on us for care, and I think that needs to be remembered."
But the state says there are plenty of other providers, and will direct Planned Parenthood to notify Medicaid patients where else they can go.
Adams says, "When you have 19 good, healthy health clinics for these ladies and these babies, let's go with what works."
Governor Greg Abbott says Texas is showing its "Unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women's health services."
Democrat Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign calls this "The latest example of Republicans' politically motivated campaign to roll back women's access to quality affordable health care."
Congressman Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth says, "Governor Abbott's administration's most recent attack on Medicaid is a continuation of despicable policy decisions that make it clear that expanding access to care for low-income families is not a priority for Texas Republicans."
State Senator Konni Burton, R-Fort Worth, says, "I applaud Governor Abbott for his unapologetic stance on the sanctity of human life. In Texas, we care about women in and out of the womb."
State Senator Don Huffines, R-Dallas says, "Planned Parenthood cares more about profiting off its sickening culture of death than providing quality health care to Texas women who are eligible for Medicaid."
Hart of Planned Parenthood says, "We've been here in Texas 80 years. We're a trusted brand, women have personal experiences with us, and know that they can trust us and rely on us to take care of them with compassion."
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