Republican 2016 contender Sen. Ted Cruz is praising his home state of Texas for ending Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state.
Cruz released the following statement Monday:
Today, my home state of Texas proved that states can make a real difference in the fight to block taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. I’m proud of Texas for leading the way in affirming the sanctity of life, and I thank Gov. Abbott for his principled commitment to protecting the lives of unborn children. I encourage every state to follow Texas’ lead in stopping taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood, and I will continue to lead the fight in the United States Senate to defund Planned Parenthood at the federal level.
A statement released by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s (R) office notes that, in keeping with the governor’s LIFE initiative to increase protections for unborn children and block the sale of baby body parts, the state’s Office of Inspector General at Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued a letter terminating Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood in the state. The letter calls for funding for all abortion providers – including Planned Parenthood – to be entirely eliminated at both the state and local levels.
“Texas has stepped forward and shown its unyielding commitment to both protecting life and providing women’s health services,” Abbott said. “The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed in Texas and the barbaric practice must be brought to an end.”
“As such, ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas is another step in providing greater access to safe healthcare for women while protecting our most vulnerable – the unborn,” the governor added.
The Office of Inspector General noted the following in ending participation in the Texas Medicaid program:
- That Planned Parenthood and its affiliates are no longer capable of performing medical services in a professionally competent, safe, legal and ethical manner.
- The termination of all Planned Parenthood affiliates will not affect access to care because there are thousands of alternate providers in Texas including federally qualified heath centers, Medicaid-certified rural health clinics, and other health care providers across the state that participate in the Texas Women’s Health Program and Medicaid.
- The State of Texas requests cooperation in informing all clients and potential clients of alternatives where they can obtain Medicaid services from providers in good standing with the State.
Cruz said the recent Planned Parenthood video scandal reminds once again that high-quality healthcare for all women is available in other centers throughout Texas.
“The horrifying videos released this summer revealed the grim reality of Planned Parenthood’s barbaric actions,” the senator said. “For far too long, Planned Parenthood has hidden behind the guise that it provides women’s healthcare. The truth is: there are real alternatives to Planned Parenthood that offer high-quality, affordable women’s health care.”
“For every one Planned Parenthood in Texas, there are 19 community health care providers,” he continued. “Today’s decision means that women will have access to healthcare that’s no longer burdened with the moral and ethical issues of Planned Parenthood, an organization under criminal investigation.”