Planned Parenthood Loses Big in Federal Court

The State of Texas won its bid to overturn an injunction preventing it from stripping Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision is especially significant for its unusually harsh criticism of the nation’s largest abortion provider. (The Daily Caller)
 

“Planned Parenthood’s reprehensible conduct, captured in undercover videos, proves that it is not a ‘qualified’ provider under the Medicaid Act, so we are confident we will ultimately prevail,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement after Thursday’s ruling.

The case arose after a pro-life group called the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released videos purporting to show Planned Parenthood violating medical and ethical standards codified in federal law and state regulations. Texas terminated its Medicaid provider agreement with Planned Parenthood shortly thereafter, citing infractions documented in the videos.

In turn, Planned Parenthood asked a federal court to restore its Medicaid funding. Thursday’s ruling — which related to a jurisdictional issue in that case — is especially striking for its numerous rebukes of Planned Parenthood. Judge Edith Jones, a Ronald Reagan appointee, delivered the opinion.

The most noteworthy reprimand in the decision is a graphic depiction of post-abortion fetal remains taken from a CMP video. A small arm is visible in the picture. Texas cited the manner in which Planned Parenthood disposes of fetal remains as one reason for terminating its Medicaid eligibility.

The ruling nearly coincided with today’s March for Life in Washington, D.C.