By Message Staff
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana is among three states that have eliminated state funding for Planned Parenthood.
After Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the state’s Department of Health and Hospitals was canceling its Medicaid contract with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast as of Aug. 3, Alabama and New Hampshire followed just a few days later.
New Hampshire’s Executive Council made its decision to terminate the state’s contract on Aug. 5 while Alabama ended its Medicaid agreement with Planned Parenthood on Aug. 6.
“In recent weeks, it has been shocking to see reports of the alleged activities taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities across the country,” Jindal said in a news release. “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.”
The action came after videos surfaced showing Planned Parenthood senior directors and others affiliated with the organization discussing the sale of body parts from aborted children. Jindal then asked for an investigation into the organization.
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast does not offer abortion services at its Baton Rouge or New Orleans offices. The group is trying to build a new facility in New Orleans, where it plans to perform abortions.
Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, commended Jindal on the decision.
“PPGC is a big abortion business that our tax dollars should not be subsidizing,” Clapper said in a news release. “In 2012 Planned Parenthood affiliates sold 327,166 abortions, and PPGC plans to sell more at a regional abortion center that is building on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans.
“In legislative testimony, former PPGC employee Abby Johnson exposed that Planned Parenthood imposes abortion quotas on its employees,” he continued. “The videos showing the harvesting and haggling over prices of unborn children’s body parts is simply another confirmation that Planned Parenthood is a big business that commodifies human life. Women’s health services are available at the many public and non-profit heath units that understand that abortion is not healthcare.”
