Texas Expands Investigation Into Planned Parenthood After Second Video Released
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AUSTIN (CBS11) - After a pro-life group released a second undercover video about Planned Parenthood's practices, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the state is expanding its investigation into the organization.
In its new video, the Center for Medical Progress shows its investigators and a Planned Parenthood representative discussing compensation for obtaining fetal tissue.
The group identified the Planned Parenthood representative as Dr. Mary Gatter.
During the meeting at a restaurant, Dr. Gatter says, "It's been years since I've talked about compensation, so let me just figure out what others are getting. If this is in the ballpark, then it's fine. If it's still low, then we can bump it up. I want a Lamborghini. I said, I want a Lamborghini."
In a statement, Planned Parenthood says,"...At this time, Planned Parenthood cannot confirm the authenticity of this tape, and nobody can tell exactly what was discussed because of the extremely heavy editing, the agenda of the activists who produced it, and the fact that the original footage has not been made available...
It's important to know that the source of these videos is a group of extremists who have intimidated women and doctors for years in their agenda to ban abortion completely..."
In a statement, Governor Abbott said the video "is more than just callous and morally bereft, it may be criminal."
Neither the Governor's office nor the Texas Attorney General's office would comment on the state's investigation, not even to specify whether it's criminal or civil.
In addition to the state investigation, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee will hold a hearing July 29th in Austin to make sure no laws were violated.
A committee member, Republican State Senator Van Taylor of Plano said in a statement, "Human life is sacred. I am proud to support Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and a united Senate Republican Caucus as we launch a full investigation into this practice."
Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Woman's Health, which operates in Fort Worth and two other Texas cities and four other states, says often, women who have abortions ask about donating fetal tissue because they want to do something good.
But Hagstrom Miller says it's not allowed in Texas. "Most fetal tissue research is done out of state and that Texas has some laws forbidding the export of any human tissues out of state, so it's not something we've pursued in Texas."
Still, after seeing the videos, those who are pro-life such as Cathie Adams of the Texas Eagle Forum, are calling for action. "These are inhumane things that Planned Parenthood should be held accountable for, and now they're trying to justify these things, there is no justification."
Planned Parenthood continues to deny it ever profited from fetal tissue donation.
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