Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fla.'s Probe Of Planned Parenthood Clinics Reports Deficiencies, But None Illegally Sell, Transfer Fetal Tissue
The Wall Street Journal: Florida Investigation Of Planned Parenthood Clinics Finds Deficiencies
Three Planned Parenthood Federation of America clinics in Florida were ordered to stop performing second-trimester abortions after an investigation found they didn’t have the proper licenses, the state Agency for Health Care Administration said Wednesday. The investigation also found one clinic that wasn't keeping proper logs relating to fetal remains, according to the agency. The state may take additional actions, including administrative sanctions, against the clinics. (Armour, 8/5)
Politico: Florida Releases Planned Parenthood Investigation Results
The state Agency for Health Care Administration released a report on Wednesday showing that none of 16 Planned Parenthood clinics in Florida are illegally selling or transferring fetal tissue or parts. But the agency did find that one clinic did not properly document the disposal of fetal remains and three clinics performed second-trimester abortions without proper licensure. (Sexton, 8/5)
The Associated Press: Inspectors Find Violations At 4 Planned Parenthood Clinics
Three of the 16 Planned Parenthood facilities inspected in Florida last week were performing procedures beyond their licensing authority, and one facility was not keeping proper logs relating to fetal remains, officials announced Wednesday. The Agency for Health Care Administration released a report saying clinics in St. Petersburg, Fort Myers and Naples were performing second-trimester abortions when they were only licensed to perform first-trimester abortions. The report also found that a Pembroke Pines clinic was not following its own procedures for the labeling and dating of the disposal of fetal remains. (Fischer, 8/5)
Fox News: Florida Inspectors Cite Four Planned Parenthood Clinics For Violations
Investigators in Florida have cited four Planned Parenthood clinics for violations, including one that kept improper logs for disposal of fetal remains, state officials said Wednesday. The state Agency for Health Care Administration said it also found that clinics in St. Petersburg, Naples, and Fort Myers have performed second-trimester abortions without a license to do so. (8/6)
The New York Times: New Hampshire: A Vote Against Planned Parenthood
Officials on Wednesday voted against funding health centers operated by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. New Hampshire’s Executive Council voted, 3 to 2, to reject contracts that would have provided the organization’s centers in the state with about $638,000 over two years, roughly one-third of the public funding for the centers, which is primarily federal. (Bidgood, 8/5)
Reuters: In Planned Parenthood Fallout, Each Side Sees the Law Differently
After an anti-abortion group released surreptitiously recorded videos of Planned Parenthood personnel in discussions about providing fetal tissue for research, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a pro-life Republican, pledged to "aggressively" investigate whether the women's health organization had violated the law. California Attorney General Kamala Harris, a pro-choice Democrat, also promised an investigation, but with an entirely different focus. Her office, she said, would scrutinize the anti-abortion group that made the videos to see if it had "violated laws, including but not limited to, [California's] registration and reporting requirements." (Levine and Ax, 8/6)
The Texas Tribune: Houston Prosecutor To Investigate Planned Parenthood
At the urging of state leaders, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson announced Wednesday she would launch a criminal investigation into a Planned Parenthood clinic in Houston. The announcement comes after an undercover video surfaced showing an executive at the clinic discussing the cost of providing organs from aborted fetuses for medical research. Texas’ Republican leaders have alleged that the video may show the clinic illegally selling fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood vehemently denies the accusation. (Walters, 8/5)
The Charlotte Observer: Charlotte Mayoral Candidates Spar Over Planned Parenthood
The controversy over Planned Parenthood has become a part of Charlotte’s mayoral race. Democrat Jennifer Roberts, the only woman in the race, sent an e-mail this week to voters asking them to join her in “standing with Planned Parenthood.” In response to the e-mail, Republican Scott Stone said he will send Roberts a letter asking her to “stop trying to gain a political advantage...from such an appalling national issue.” (Harrison, 8/5)
