Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana for the state’s defunding of the healthcare provider in light of the release of recent videos of Planned Parenthood officials speaking of selling aborted fetal tissue.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal had ordered that the state cut Medicaid-related funds to Planned Parenthood by September 2, pointing to the release of the videos by the Center for Medical Progress, a pro-life organization.
"Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the people of Louisiana and shows a fundamental disrespect for human life. It has become clear that this is not an organization that is worthy of receiving public assistance from the state,” he said in a statement.
The abortion provider has filed for a court injunction to stop the state’s defunding effort that would take effect beginning September 2.
Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office defends the governor’s decision to cut off funds, asserting that the state’s contract with the abortion provider can be cancelled with a 30-day notice.
"The Medicaid provider contract between the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and Planned Parenthood gives either party the right to cancel the contract at will with a 30-day notice. Governor Jindal and DHH chose to exercise that right to cancel,” Jindal spokesman Mike Reed said in a statement to Christian Post.
Louisiana is one of five states that has decided to defund Planned Parenthood. Other states that have cut off funds include Alabama, Arkansas, New Hampshire, and Utah.
