Planned Parenthood Asks Judge to Prevent Texas From Ousting It From Medicaid

Planned Parenthood has asked a federal judge to block Texas officials' plan to drop it from Medicaid, the Austin American-Statesman reported late Friday.State health officials told Planned Parenthood this week that they will boot the organization from Medicaid in January.At stake is about $4 million to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas that serve nearly 11,000 low-income women each year, according to the group.No public funding in Texas is used for abortion, while Medicaid reimbursements cover services that include well-women exams, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases and birth control.The American-Statesman said Planned Parenthood has referred to the state's plan as "nothing more than a politically motivated witch hunt."Federal judges have so far blocked other Republican-controlled states from making cutting off Planned Parenthood's Medicaid funding. Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kansas are among the states where judges have denied similar efforts.Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards has called Texas "a cautionary tale for the rest of the nation."The state's move comes at a time when Planned Parenthood is simultaneously fighting to stop Congress from cutting off taxpayer dollars.President-elect Donald Trump has given mixed signals about his feelings toward the group.This report is based on material from The Associated Press and the Austin American-StatesmanMore details to come.  Continue reading...