Health Law, Planned Parenthood Get Airtime At Republican Presidential Forum In N.H.
Fourteen of the candidates vying for the 2016 Republican nomination participated in the event. Another debate is planned for this Thursday. Meanwhile, one of the GOP 2016 hopefuls, La. Gov. Bobby Jindal, is terminating his state's Medicaid contract with Planned Parenthood.
Los Angeles Times:
Crowded GOP Presidential Field Races Through Campaign Forum
A Republican presidential forum on Monday felt more like speed dating than a typical political event. Candidates faced rapid-fire questions and spent a few minutes in the hot seat before being rotated offstage. ... The 14 who showed up offered near unanimous agreement on talking points popular with Republican voters: Obamacare must be repealed. Planned Parenthood must be cut off from federal funds. President Obama’s proposed agreement with Iran to curb that nation’s ability to acquire a nuclear weapon jeopardizes Americans. (Mehta, 8/3)
The Wall Street Journal:
GOP Candidates Keep It Civil At Forum
Republican presidential candidates played to their strengths at a forum here on Monday, seeking to remind voters what they bring to a crowded GOP field and avoiding some of the sharp-edged sniping that has emerged in recent weeks. (Ballhaus, 8/3)
Bloomberg:
Louisiana’s Jindal Cuts Planned Parenthood Medicaid Funds
Jindal said he was terminating the contract because of videos circulated by an anti-abortion group. ... Jindal said the state is also concerned that chapters could be recommending abortions to clients in violation of Louisiana law. ... Jindal is one of four sitting governors vying for the Republican nomination. Although Wisconsin’s Scott Walker called for a state-by-state campaign to defund Planned Parenthood last month, Jindal is the first to terminate its Medicaid contract, giving the organization a 30-day notice of its cancellation. (Newkirk and Tracer, 8/3)
New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Louisiana To Terminate Medicaid Contract With Planned Parenthood
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) is terminating its Medicaid provider contract with Planned Parenthood, Gov. Bobby Jindal's office announced Monday (Aug. 3). "In recent weeks, multiple videos have surfaced showing Planned Parenthood Federation of America senior personnel and other employees describing how they actively engage in illegal partial birth abortion procedures and conduct these abortions in a manner that leaves body parts intact so that they can later be sold on the open market," the announcement from Jindal's office said. "Since these videos have surfaced, Governor Jindal has directed DHH to investigate Planned Parenthood's activities in Louisiana and also sent a letter to both the Louisiana Inspector General and the F.B.I. asking them to assist in the investigation." (Quinlan, 8/3)
On the Democratic side of the campaign, Hillary Clinton takes a Planned Parenthood stand -
Politico:
Hillary Clinton Comes Out In Support Of Planned Parenthood
Hillary Clinton is making her position on Planned Parenthood very clear: She is in full support of the organization. “I’m proud to stand with Planned Parenthood, I’ll never stop fighting to protect the ability and right of every woman in this country to make her own health decisions,” Clinton said in a video released Monday. (Collins, 8/3)
