In July 2015, the Center for Medical Progress released explosive undercover footage showing Planned Parenthood officials bartering over the organs and body parts of aborted children. Since the release of over a dozen damning videos exposing top-level Planned Parenthood officers, it is encouraging to see the progress made in fighting the corruption of America’s largest abortion chain.
Since the videos were released, Planned Parenthood reports that at least 24 states have attempted to cut taxpayer funding to the abortion chain. Following is a report on a number of states that have distanced themselves from the corporation.
ALABAMA
In August 2015, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced termination of the state’s contract with Planned Parenthood Southeast. As Live Action News reported, Bentley said that “as a doctor and Alabama’s Governor,” he did “not want Alabama to be associated with an organization that does not” “respect human life.”
In October, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson temporarily ordered the state to resume funding of Planned Parenthood; and in November, the state called off litigation against the abortion giant.
ARKANSAS
Governor Asa Hutchinson moved to defund Planned Parenthood following the release of the earlier videos by the Center for Medical Progress. In October, federal judge Kristine Baker issued a preliminary injunction ordering the state to temporarily pay for the services of three unnamed women who signed onto Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit, as well as for other Medicaid beneficiaries.
Hutchinson, who criticized Baker’s ruling, responded, “Ethical conduct by Medicaid providers is a relevant factor for the state to consider [in funding]. It is disappointing that a judge appointed by President Obama does not give sufficient weight to the morally repugnant conduct of Planned Parenthood displayed in a series of recently released videos.”
In January, a federal judge granted Planned Parenthood’s motion for class-action status in its lawsuit challenging Hutchinson’s decision; in April of this year, the state petitioned Baker not to expand her ruling in favor of the abortion giant.
KANSAS
In May, the state of Kansas moved to reallocate funds formerly going to Planned Parenthood, to full-service healthcare clinics that serve women in need. Planned Parenthood quickly filed suit.
In January, Governor Sam Brownback said, “The time has come to finish the job. We must keep working to protect our most innocent Kansans, the unborn. Every year since I became governor we have enacted pro-life legislation. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done.”
LOUISIANA
In August, then-Gov. Bobby Jindal moved to cut Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood after the release of the undercover videos from CMP.
In October, U.S. District Judge John deGravelles issued a temporary order blocking Jindal’s decision. However, since that time, the Louisiana legislature has voted to defund Planned Parenthood, and new Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards has signed a dismemberment abortion ban into law.
This month, a lawyer for the state’s attorney general petitioned a federal appeals court to overturn deGravelles’ decision.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
In August, the New Hampshire Executive Council voted to deny state funding to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
Councilman Chris Sununu, a pro-choice Republican who was considered the deciding vote, voted against funding the abortion giant, in order to take time to analyze allegations against Planned Parenthood and to consider the many other options for women’s health care providers.
Since that time, Sununu has claimed he has been harassed and “bullied” by Planned Parenthood, and that the abortion company is burning its bridges.
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a bill cutting funds to Planned Parenthood in October. The bill also banned the sale of human body parts from abortions.
The sponsor of the legislation, Sen. Chad Barefoot, claimed he was inspired to introduce the measure after viewing damning video evidence from the Center for Medical Progress.
TEXAS
In October, the state of Texas moved to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving state Medicaid funds.
“The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed in Texas and the barbaric practice must be brought to an end,” said Governor Greg Abbott. Planned Parenthood filed suit against the state in November.
UTAH
Last fall, Gov. Gary Herbert ordered an end to state funds flowing to Planned Parenthood in the state of Utah. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, however, placed an emergency stop on Herbert’s decision.
U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups ruled a few weeks later that Utah could proceed with plans to defund, stating that the government has an interest in avoiding the perception of corruption.
In March, Planned Parenthood asked a federal appeals court to reverse Waddoups’ decision in order to maintain the flow of federal funding.
WISCONSIN
In February, Governor Scott Walker signed legislation restricting government funds for Planned Parenthood. The law ensures that Planned Parenthood can only bill for the acquisition cost of drugs, in addition to a dispensing fee, and prohibits the abortion giant from receiving any federal Title X money.
Walker said the move will improve health care options for women in the state. “Today, we signed two bills into law that prioritize women’s health while improving government and its services to the citizens of Wisconsin,” he said.
OHIO
In February, Ohio Gov. and former presidential candidate John Kasich signed legislation defunding Planned Parenthood by forbidding the state from making health service contracts with any abortion-providing organization. The bill redirects approximately $1.3 million from Planned Parenthood to comprehensive health centers and other non-abortion health providers.
Following Kasich’s signing of the legislation, Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Casey Mattox said, “Taxpayer dollars should not go to organizations with a long track record of abusive and potentially fraudulent billing practices.”
Planned Parenthood sued, and a federal judge moved to block the law. In June, the judge extended the order for at least another two months.
OKLAHOMA
Last year, Gov. Mary Fallin called for the state of Oklahoma to defund Planned Parenthood, following a state review which revealed that the abortion giant may have been engaging in Medicaid fraud.
According to the Seattle Times, Oklahoma Health Care Authority Chief Executive Officer Nico Gomez said Planned Parenthood has been notified of the agency’s intent to terminate provider agreements with the abortion company.
“My decision in February was made based upon what I firmly believe to be the best interests of this agency going forward,” said Gomez. The state’s current contracts with Planned Parenthood will remain in place until June 29.
FLORIDA
In March, Florida defunded Planned Parenthood. As Live Action News reported, the bill, signed by Gov. Rick Scott, blocks “state and local government from funding or contracting with any entity that owns, operates, or contracts with abortion facilities.”
Funds formerly flowing to Planned Parenthood are set to be redirected to comprehensive health care clinics, as the legislation is set to take effect on July 1st.
Planned Parenthood has filed a lawsuit suit in response, claiming the law seeks to “punish, harass, and stigmatize the state’s abortion providers.” The corporation is asking a federal court to block restrictions from going into effect.
MISSOURI
In April, the Missouri Legislature handed Gov. Jay Nixon, who approved the plan in May, a budget that eliminates thousands from Planned Parenthood and abortion groups.
The budget instead funds comprehensive health centers, which do not commit abortions, and prohibits Medicaid funding from supporting abortion facilities.
ARIZONA
In May, Arizona lawmakers approved a budget cutting $200,000 from Planned Parenthood, which was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey.
Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod told Life News that the budget will prevent the abortion giant from gouging taxpayers.
“Lawmakers passed a budget that includes sensible legislation to strip special interest groups of deceitful privileges. No longer will health clinics like Planned Parenthood be allowed to gouge taxpayers by charging the government up to ten times the cost of medication.”
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill in May that would prohibit tax dollars from funding groups that commit elective abortions.
“You are the company you keep, and by Mississippi reimbursing Planned Parenthood through Medicaid, we are keeping that company,” state Sen. Brice Wiggins said in support of the measure.
