FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2011
CONTACT: Billy Valentine at (703) 380-9182 or [email protected]
HHS Sec. Sebelius Strong-Arms States to Protect Billion-Dollar Abortion Provider
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) criticized Kathleen Sebelius, President Obama’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, for claiming that the state of Indiana’s recently passed Medicaid plan, which prevents taxpayers from having to fund Planned Parenthood, is illegal and must be changed. In a letter sent to Indiana’s Medicaid director, the Medicaid Administrator incorrectly said that Indiana’s plan will bar Medicaid beneficiaries from receiving services, which could expose the state to penalties.
The Administration, however, ignores a review commissioned by Gov. Mitch Daniels showing that, under the bill signed into law, women in all 92 Indiana counties would have access to all non-abortion services, whether family planning or basic women’s health, even if Planned Parenthood were to lose its federal funding. Gov. Daniels also made it clear that Planned Parenthood could continue to receive Medicaid funding if it ceased to provide abortions or separated its operations that perform abortions.
“Secretary Sebelius is strong-arming states like Indiana to protect the Administration’s powerful ally Planned Parenthood,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Since the fight to defund the abortion provider has moved from the national to the state level, the organization has been exposed as a billion dollar business centered on abortion and an unapologetic partner of those who wish to exploit young girls. Their pro-woman image has been shattered, and the Administration is struggling to protect their bruised ally.
“Women can and do have access to health services across the state of Indiana, and other states considering defunding Planned Parenthood of taxpayer dollars should work boldly to do so.”
The Susan B. Anthony List spent $11 million during the 2010 midterm election cycle. Overall, the SBA List was involved in 90 races including 62 wins and 28 losses. Successes included: defeating 15 of 20 so-called “pro-life” Democrats who voted for abortion funding in the health care reform bill; increasing the number of pro-life women in the House by 70 percent; filling the void of pro-life women in the U.S. Senate and increasing the number of pro-life women governors from one to four.
For further information, please contact Billy Valentine at (703) 380-9182 or [email protected]
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