Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal today canceled a state contract with the Planned Parenthood abortion business that provides it with familu planning funding with state taxpayer dollars via Medicaid. The move follows four shocking videos that have caught Planned Parenthood doctors discussing and arranging the sale of body parts of aborted babies.
Today, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals informed Planned Parenthood it is exercising its right to terminate Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid provider agreement.
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately
Governor Jindal said, “In recent weeks, it has been shocking to see reports of the alleged activities taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities across the country. 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.”
Jindal’s office referenced the investigation he sought almost immediately after the first of four videos was released.
It said the governor is “multiple videos have surfaced showing Planned Parenthood Federation of America senior personnel and other employees describing how they actively engage in illegal partial birth abortion procedures and conduct these abortions in a manner that leaves body parts intact so that they can later be sold on the open market. Since these videos have surfaced, Governor Jindal has directed DHH to investigate Planned Parenthood’s activities in Louisiana and also sent a letter to both the Louisiana Inspector General and the F.B.I. asking them to assist in the investigation.”
According to the Medicaid provider contract between DHH and Planned Parenthood, along with relevant Louisiana law, either party can choose to cancel the contract at will after providing written notice.
Jindal’s office said, “Governor Jindal and DHH decided to give the required 30-day notice to terminate the Planned Parenthood Medicaid provider contract because Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the State of Louisiana in regards to respecting human life. Pending the ongoing investigation, DHH reserves the right to amend the cancellation notice and terminate the provider agreement immediately should cause be determined.”
The governor said the state health department has “concerns that Planned Parenthood could be acting in violation of Louisiana law that states no person or group contracting with the state or receiving government assistance shall require or recommend that any woman have an abortion. The state investigation into Planned Parenthood remains ongoing.”
Louisiana’s Medicaid Family Planning Services program is required to provide adequate services to women across the state. Cancellation of this contract at will does not jeopardize those services in any way as Planned Parenthood is just one of many providers in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, Jindal’s office confirmed.
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must Investigate Planned Parenthood for Selling Aborted Baby Parts
After he announced the investigation into Planned Parenthood, Jindal also said he would not grant the abortion corporation the new license it needs to open a new abortion facility in New Orleans.
Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life,told LifeNews he applauded Jindal’s decision to cut funding for the abortion giant.
“Louisiana Right to Life commends Gov. Bobby Jindal for terminating the state’s Medicaid provider agreement with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. PPGC is a big abortion business that our tax dollars should not be subsidizing. In 2012 Planned Parenthood affiliates sold 327,166 abortions, and PPGC plans to sell more at a regional abortion center that is building on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans,” he said.
Clapper added: “In legislative testimony, former PPGC employee Abby Johnson exposed that Planned Parenthood imposes abortion quotas on its employees. The videos showing the harvesting and haggling over prices of unborn children’s body parts is simply another confirmation that Planned Parenthood is a big business that commodifies human life. Women’s health services are available at the many public and non-profit heath units that understand that abortion is not healthcare.”
