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Abbot: Harvesting of Baby Parts Not Allowed in Texas

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Texas will no longer allow Medicaid funds to go to Planned Parenthood, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday.

It's all as part of the governor's "life" initiative to provide greater protections for babies in the womb and prevent the sale of baby body parts.

The decision follows the release of undercover footage showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing reimbursements and money received from aborted baby parts.

"Texas has stepped forward and shown its unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women's health services," Abbott said.

Since summer, the Center for Medical Progress has posted several videos aimed at proving that the abortion group illegally sells fetal tissue.

"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," he continued.

"As such, ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state of Texas is another step in providing greater access to safe healthcare for women while protecting our most vulnerable -- the unborn," he concluded.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General sent letters to Texas Planned Parenthood affiliates that their enrollment in the joint state-federal Medicaid program was in the process of being terminated because they were potentially "liable, directly or by affiliation, for a series of serious Medicaid program violations."

The letter addresses three claims from the videos:

  • That Planned Parenthood illegally alters the method of abortions in order to procure tissue for donation.
  • That it does not follow proper safety precautions.
  • And that it failed to properly train its staff in "infection control and barrier precautions."

"The State has determined that you and your Planned Parenthood affiliates are no longer capable of performing medical services in a professionally competent, safe, legal, and ethical manner," the letter stated.

Planned Parenthood supporters argue that shutting down their clinics would cause many women to go without needed healthcare. The letter addressed these concerned.

"Your termination and that of all your affiliates will not affect access to care in this state because there are thousands of alternate providers in Texas, including federally qualified health centers, Medicaid-certified rural health clinics, and other health care providers across the state that participate in the Texas Women's Health Program and Medicaid," the letter said.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson recently made a campaign stop in the Lone Star State. He applauded the state's decision to cut funding to the abortion provider.

"As far as I'm concerned, Planned Parenthood is on their own. And there is no way that the public should be supporting an institution that has the record that they have," he said.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood maintains they've done nothing illegal, saying the videos were misleading.

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards recently announced that though they will continue to donate tissue for medical research, they will no longer accept compensation or reimbursement.

"It's pretty much an admission of guilt," CMP Director David Daleidan said.

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About The Author

Charlene Aaron
Charlene
Aaron

Charlene Aaron serves as a general assignment reporter, news anchor, co-host of The 700 Club, co-host of 700 Club Interactive, and co-host of The Prayerlink on the CBN News Channel. She covers various social issues, such as abortion, gender identity, race relations, and more. Before joining CBN News in 2003, she was a personal letter writer for Dr. Pat Robertson. Charlene attended Old Dominion University and Elizabeth City State University. She is an ordained minister and pastor’s wife. She lives in Smithfield, VA, with her husband.