Planned Parenthood, along with other providers of women's health care and 10 patients sued Texas due to its plans of cutting the firm's Medicaid funding.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, Nov. 23, states that the planned intervention of the government is a violation of the federal statute and the 14th Amendment that ensures equal protection.
The complainants, who also said that Texas' move was more of a political rather than a health care issue, stated in the lawsuit the state will ban patients from selecting their preferred medical facility without enough justification.
"Politicians in Texas seem to have decided it's their job to think of new and creative ways they can decimate women's reproductive health and rights," said Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She also wanted to make the matters clear, saying Texas' move is against the federal law.
Texas' plans of cutting Medicaid funding rose after the release of a series of videos showing Planned Parenthood staff discussing about fetal tissue sales and price negotiations after abortion procedures.
Planned Parenthood has denied the authenticity of the videos, saying that it was laboriously edited. The clinic chain also said it does not earn from fetal tissue donations.
In October 2015, Republican Governor Greg Abbott excluded Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program of the state after the release of the videos. Results of investigations showed that the clips were indeed edited and further analysis did not discover any proof of offense.
Aside from the videos, Texas also claims that Planned Parenthood does not practice correct handling of fetal tissues and that it bills Medicaid for services that were either unneeded or were not actually rendered.
"Each of these allegations is false," the lawsuit read.
Planned Parenthood obtains approximately $500 million per year due to federal funds. Majority of these profits come from reimbursements from Medicaid, which gives medical coverage for Americans with low income.
About 13,500 patients will be affected if Texas' plan of cutting funds, which may occur as early as Dec.8, 2015, prevail.
Photo: Raquel Baranow | Flickr
