Federal judge rules Indiana cannot cut Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood

The New York Times: Indiana Law To Cut Planned Parenthood Funding Is Blocked
A federal judge ruled Friday that the State of Indiana could not cut off money for Planned Parenthood clinics providing health care to low-income women on Medicaid. The judge, Tanya Walton Pratt of the Federal District Court in Indianapolis, blocked provisions of a new state law that penalized Planned Parenthood because some of its clinics performed abortions. The law, she said, conflicts with the federal Medicaid statute, which generally allows Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their health care providers. Planned Parenthood provides services other than abortion, including family planning and screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted diseases (Pear, 6/24). 

Indianapolis Star: Judge Says Defunding Law Breaks Medicaid Rules
Planned Parenthood of Indiana had to shut its doors to about 9,300 Medicaid clients Tuesday and contemplated closing some of its 28 health centers after the state cut off its Medicaid funding May 10. "We are of course delighted and relieved with the judge's ruling on defunding," said Betty Cockrum, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. ... The injunction only places a temporary hold on enforcement of the parts of the law. ... But Pratt's ruling is an ominous sign for the state's prospects in the larger court case. The injunction disappointed Indiana Right to Life, which lobbied strongly for the law's de-funding provision. "Today's ruling goes against the will of the Indiana legislature and against the will of the people of Indiana, as they've elected those legislators to represent them," said Cathie Humbarger, communications director for Indiana Right to Life (Gillers, 6/25). 

The Associated Press/The Washington Post: Judge Blocks Part Of Indiana Law That Cuts Off Some Public Funding From Planned Parenthood
(The ruling) also sided with federal officials who said states cannot restrict Medicaid recipients' freedom to choose their health care provider or disqualify Medicaid providers merely because they also offer abortions. Indiana attorney general's office spokesman Bryan Corbin said the state likely will appeal. ... Marcus Barlow, a spokesman for the state's Family and Social Services Administration, said that while the injunction is in effect, Planned Parenthood will be able to provide services and apply for Medicaid reimbursement as it did previously(6/25).

The New York Times: New Law In Kansas Seen As A Threat To Abortions
One in a series of abortion limits approved in Kansas since Republicans took full control of the state government this year — a new license law — is raising uncertainty about the future of all abortion providers in the state. Opponents of abortion say that the licenses — which newly dictate requirements for the size of rooms at abortion clinics, the stocking of emergency equipment, medications and blood supplies, and ties to nearby hospitals — will ensure at least a modicum of safety standards. ... But abortion rights supporters, here and nationally, say the rules, which take effect next week, are onerous, have been rushed into place too rapidly and are actually aimed at ending abortion services (Sulzberger and Davey, 6/24). 

The Associated Press/The Washington Post: Attorney Says Kan. Clinic Denied License; Future Of State's 2 Other Providers Uncertain
One of three abortion providers in Kansas appeared likely to close after being denied a state license to continue terminating pregnancies at its Kansas City-area clinic, and abortion rights supporters feared Friday that the anti-abortion governor's administration will reject licenses for the other two (6/25).

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This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.