Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Mo. Judge Says State Revoked Abortion License Due To 'Political Pressure,' Rules In Favor Of Clinic
The Associated Press: Federal Judge Rules In Favor Of Missouri Planned Parenthood
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled in favor of a Columbia, Missouri, Planned Parenthood clinic after the state last year tried to revoke its abortion license, a move the judge found likely was due in part to “political pressure.” U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey in a Wednesday ruling said the Department of Health and Senior Services treated the clinic “more harshly” than other ambulatory surgical centers. (Ballentine, 5/12)
The Associated Press: Planned Parenthood Sues Over Ohio Law That Strips Funding
Planned Parenthood sued Ohio's health department on Wednesday, saying thousands of patients could be denied access to HIV tests, cancer screenings and other services under a law designed to strip public money away from the organization's affiliates in the state. The law targets the roughly $1.3 million in funding that Planned Parenthood gets through Ohio's health department. That money, which is mostly federal, supports certain health education and prevention programs. The state's law would bar such funds from going to entities that perform or promote abortions. (Sanner, 5/11)
Reuters: Planned Parenthood Sues Ohio Over Plan To Restrict Funds
Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Ohio officials on Wednesday over a plan by the state to restrict the U.S. healthcare agency's access to state and federal funds, saying it was being singled out for providing abortion services. (Palmer and Ortiz, 5/11)
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Planned Parenthood Says Ohio Defunding Law Violates U.S. Constitution
In a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, Planned Parenthood argues Ohio violated the U.S. constitution when it defunded the organization, punishing it for advocating safe abortions. An Ohio law signed in February forbids the state from contracting for health services with any entity that performs or promotes non-therapeutic abortions. The organization could still perform abortions, but it would lose state health contracts. So the lawsuit, filed jointly by Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, seeks to keep the law from taking effect as scheduled May 23. (Higgs, 5/11)
The Cincinnati Enquirer: Planned Parenthood Sues Over Axed $1.4M
Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit Wednesday to prevent Ohio officials from stripping more than $1 million from the abortion and health care provider later this month. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, would prevent the Ohio Department of Health from taking away money that Planned Parenthood uses for uses for HIV testing, sex education for foster children and other programs. No taxpayer money pays for abortions. (Balmert, 5/11)
The Associated Press: Kansas Again Delays Medicaid Cutoff For Planned Parenthood
Kansas has delayed cutting off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood a second time and postponed its action against the abortion provider until June 7. Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri spokeswoman Bonyen Lee-Gilmore said Wednesday that the state sought another extension to prepare for the first hearing in a federal lawsuit challenging the cutoff and that the delays are sign of how the state's decision is "all political." (Hanna, 5/11)
Wichita (Kan.) Eagle: Planned Parenthood Defunding Date And Court Hearing Delayed
Planned Parenthood’s defunding date has been rescheduled for June 7. The state of Kansas originally planned to defund Planned Parenthood on Tuesday, but that date was pushed back when Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the state last week. A hearing for the lawsuit underwent delays, too. It’s now scheduled for May 25. (Dunn, 5/11)
The Associated Press: Miss. Bill Bans Money To Planned Parenthood
The Mississippi Medicaid program will be banned from spending money with any facility that performs elective abortions under a new law that takes effect July 1. Republican Sen. Joey Fillingane of Sumrall, the main sponsor of Senate Bill 2238 said Wednesday that the bill is aimed at blocking state tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood. The organization’s only Mississippi clinic doesn’t do abortions but refers patients to other places abortion is available. (Wagster Pettus, 5/11)
