The Obama administration is again demonstrating it's "death over life" dedication to abortion by forcing Indiana citizens to fund Planned Parenthood by blocking the defunding law enacted by Indiana's duly elected legislature and governor.
For background, read Indiana Squeezes Obama in Abortion Battle via Medicaid and also read about many states following Indiana's lead
UPDATE 6/21/11: Planned Parenthood Shutting Down in Indiana & Minnesota
UPDATE 6/16/11: Obama Justice Dept. joins Planned Parenthood in court
-- From "Obama team blocks Indiana's efforts to cut Planned Parenthood funding" by David Jackson, USA TODAY 6/2/11
The administration's Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday it would prohibit Indiana from carrying out a new state law that cuts off money to Planned Parenthood clinics that serve women on Medicaid; the law targets abortion services provided by Planned Parenthood.
There's a political context to all this: Planned Parenthood is a major contributor to Democrats. Also, while Indiana is normally considered a Republican state, Obama carried it in 2008, and would dearly love to do so again next year.
Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., said the administration should not be telling any state that "it cannot administer its own programs."
"Health and Human Services should respect the will of Hoosiers who simply ask that their tax dollars do not subsidize an entity that maintains an abortion clinic," Stutzman said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "CMS Administrator Don Berwick: Indiana can’t defund Planned Parenthood" by Sarah Kliff, Politico 6/1/11
Indiana plans to defy an Obama administration letter and continue barring Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funding — a move that, if continued, could cost the state more than $4 billion in Medicaid funds.
[Federal] CMS Administrator Don Berwick notified Indiana Wednesday that its plan to bar the state Medicaid agency from contracting with abortion providers is illegal. If it does so, Indiana could stand to lose all federal funding of its Medicaid program, an administration source tells POLITICO.
“Medicaid programs may not exclude qualified health care providers from providing services that are funded under the program because of a provider's scope of practice,” Berwick wrote in the letter.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "U.S. government says Indiana cannot deny Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood" By Eric Bradner, Evansville Courier & Press 6/1/11
Indiana’s measure affects 34 facilities, 28 of which are operated by Planned Parenthood of Indiana. Those facilities are located in 21 counties. A total of four of Planned Parenthood’s Indiana clinics perform abortions.
According to the [Indiana Governor] Daniels administration, there are 800 other health care providers that take Medicaid patients in those counties.
“I commissioned a careful review of access to services across the state and can confirm that all non-abortion services, whether family planning or basic women’s health, will remain readily available in every one of our 92 counties,” Daniels said then.
“Any organization affected by this provision can resume receiving taxpayer dollars immediately by ceasing or separating its operations that perform abortions.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Feds to Indiana: New legislation violates Medicaid rules" by Heather Gillersand, Indianapolis Star 6/1/11
State Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, who helped lead the effort in the legislature to defund Planned Parenthood, was disappointed.
"We believe we represented the public's opinion on this, and we'll see what happens," he said. "It's another example of the federal government trying to tell states what to do. I think states are very capable of deciding their own fate and running their own ship."
Anti-abortion activists challenged the Obama administration's interpretation of federal Medicaid policy, saying they think states do have authority to defund Planned Parenthood, and called the letter a strong-arm tactic.
"We're not surprised by it," said Indiana Right to Life Legislative Director Sue Swayze. "This is the most pro-abortion president we've ever had. It almost feels like they're bullying the state of Indiana over the wishes of our legislative branch."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
