HHS to Indiana: Pay for Abortions Or Lose Medicaid Funding
The Indianapolis Star has the story:
Federal officials said Wednesday that the new Indiana law cutting Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood violates Medicaid rules — a determination that could cost the state millions and possibly even billions of dollars.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services informed state officials by letter that it was denying Indiana’s new Medicaid plan because states can’t pick and choose where recipients receive health-care services.
What happens next is, at best, a guess. But almost certain is that it will add fuel to a legal and political battle likely to be watched closely across the nation.
An HHS official would not comment on what happens if Indiana does not change its law, though one possible ramification would be withholding funding.
Indiana relies on about $4 million in federal Medicaid family planning funds and more than $4 billion in total Medicaid dollars.
Sounds like gangster government at work here. From the same report:
Anti-abortion activists challenged the Obama administration’s interpretation of federal Medicaid policy, saying they believe 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.”
President Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group, said, “(HHS) Secretary (Kathleen) Sebelius is strong-arming states like Indiana to protect the administration’s powerful ally Planned Parenthood.”
According to the Associated Press report, Indiana attorney general Greg Zoeller intends to continue defending the statute.
Planned Parenthood is already challenging the statute in court. The actions of HHS will only add another layer of litigation to this battle.
Hat tip: Jonathan Adler
Tagged with: Abortion • Indiana • planned parenthood
Filed under: Abortion • Culture • Politics • Tom
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