Louisiana says it will strip Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood clinics, following a series of undercover videos highlighting how the group collects aborted fetal tissue for biomedical companies.
Gov. Bobby Jindal, who is running for president, said Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals has given Planned Parenthood clinics in the state a 30-day notice that their Medicaid contracts will be terminated.
“In recent weeks, it has been shocking to see reports of the alleged activities taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities across the country,” Jindal said in a statement. “Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the people of Louisiana and shows a fundamental disrespect for human life. It has become clear that this is not an organization that is worthy of receiving public assistance from the state.”
The two Planned Parenthood clinics currently operating in the state don’t offer abortions. A third one being built in New Orleans does plan to offer abortion services.
Arizona and Indiana have also tried to block Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood clinics, but they’ve both been blocked by courts which said that violates statute’s freedom of choice provision. Clinics can’t use any Medicaid funds for abortion services except in the cases of rape, incest or if the life of the mother is at stake.
Planned Parenthood didn’t initially respond to a question about whether the group will challenge Louisiana’s action in court.
The group has come under fire in recent weeks after an anti-abortion group released a series of undercover videos showing top officials discussing how some clinics participate in providing aborted fetal organs to biomedical companies.
