HHS Warns States About Ending Medicaid Funds For Planned Parenthood
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has been in contact with officials in Louisiana and Alabama this month warning them that efforts to defund the nonprofit organization could result in restricting beneficiaries' access to services, which is protected.
The Wall Street Journal:
States Warned Over Ending Medicaid Funds For Planned Parenthood
The Obama administration has notified two states that took steps to halt Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood Federation of America that they may be in conflict with federal law. The law requires that Medicaid beneficiaries may obtain services, including family planning, from any qualified provider. States that terminate their Medicaid-provider agreements with Planned Parenthood restrict access by not permitting recipients to get services from providers of their choice, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. (Armour, 8/12)
Reuters:
U.S. Warns States Against Defunding Planned Parenthood
The U.S. government has warned states moving to defund women's health group Planned Parenthood that they may be in conflict with federal law, officials said on Wednesday. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency, was in contact with officials in Louisiana and Alabama this month, said a spokesperson for the agency's parent, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency warned those two states that their plans to terminate Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood may illegally restrict beneficiary access to services, the spokesperson said in a statement. (Cassella, 8/12)
Kaiser Health News:
‘Defunding’ Planned Parenthood Is Easier Promised Than Done
The undercover videos purporting to show officials of Planned Parenthood bargaining over the sale of fetal tissue have made the promise to defund the organization one of the most popular refrains on the Republican presidential campaign trail. It’s actually a much easier promise to make than to fulfill. But that’s not slowing down the candidates. (Rovner, 8/13)
CQ Healthbeat:
Planned Parenthood Fight Echoes Past Debates, With A Twist
Although recent sting videos that shed light on fetal tissue donation practices at Planned Parenthood have roiled the abortion debate in Congress, the charge that some organizations profit from the “the sale of baby body parts” is nothing new. But some of the reactions and arguments heard in Congress 15 years ago are notably different than the ones voiced today, representing the evolving science and politics underpinning the debate. (Zanona, 8/12)
Meanwhile, the saga over Planned Parenthood's involvement with fetal tissue research continues -
Politico:
New Video Claims Firm Illegally Obtained Tissue At Planned Parenthood Clinic
An anti-abortion group has released its latest video in its campaign against Planned Parenthood, this one featuring an interview with a former StemExpress technician who claims she saw people illegally collect fetal tissue and organs without patients’ permission at a clinic. (Haberkorn, 8/12)
In other news -
WBUR:
Medical Professionals Voice Their Feelings In The Abortion Discussion
Abortion became legal in America 42 years ago. And since then, the voices for and against the procedure have been strong and usually certain. But there’s one group routinely missing from the debate: medical professionals who perform abortions — or decide not to. Now, some OB-GYN residents from Brown University’s medical school are lending their voices to the conversation about abortion. They’ve written essays featured in the journal “Obstetrics and Gynecology.” (Mullins, 8/12)
