Arkansas defunds Planned Parenthood in light of baby parts scandal

In the aftermath of now six videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s trafficking of baby body parts, Arkansas has joined a handful of states to defund the abortion business. The state follows the example of Louisiana and Alabama, which also ended Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood. New Hampshire has also taken action to defund the abortion giant, stripping $650,000 in forced taxpayer funding.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is terminating state Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, and has ordered an end to existing contracts with Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.

In a press release, Hutchinson’s office notes:

“It is apparent that after the recent revelations on the actions of Planned Parenthood, that this organization does not represent the values of the people of our state and Arkansas is better served by terminating any and all existing contracts with them. This includes their affiliated organization, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.”

Hutchinson thanked lawmakers for fighting to defund Planned Parenthood at the state level.

“I appreciate the legislature’s leadership on this important issue, especially that of Senator Eddie Joe Williams and Representative David Meeks.”

Under Medicaid, Planned Parenthood received over $51,000 in payments in Arkansas.

The Obama administration, however, has threatened states, claiming that actions to defund the abortion business is in violation of federal law.

Louisiana and Alabama, which received notification from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services, terminated their state Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood this month. In a statement, Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Ben Wakana said:

“CMS has notified states who have taken action to terminate their Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood that they may be in conflict with federal law.

“Longstanding Medicaid laws prohibit states from restricting individuals who have coverage through Medicaid from receiving care from a qualified provider,” he said. “By restricting which provider a woman could choose to receive care from, women could lose access to critical preventive care, such as cancer screenings.”

Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Casey Mattox praised the move saying:

“American tax dollars should not be used to subsidize billion-dollar corporations that inhumanely and illegally sell baby body parts.  Tax dollars that went to two Planned Parenthood clinics in Arkansas will be better used by the 179 community health centers and other clinics that actually provide comprehensive health care.”