Abbott Releases Rulings on Abortion “Affiliates”
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott just released two opinions that could force Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Women’s Health Program, which provides family planning, but not abortions, to Medicaid patients.
In the first opinion, Abbott said that under state law, the Health and Human Services Commission “may not contract with entities that are affiliates of entities that perform or promote elective abortions.” (This means, effectively, that HHSC can’t provide women’s health services through a Planned Parenthood branch — even if that branch doesn’t perform abortions — because it’s “affiliated” with clinics that do.)
In his second opinion, Abbott said HHSC has the authority to define the key word here: “affiliate.” With such strong Republican leadership at the helm, it’s likely HHSC will define affiliate in a way that excludes Planned Parenthood.
The rulings stem from a request made by Sen. Bob Deuell, R-Greenville, who has not hidden his desire to get Planned Parenthood clinics out of the state’s Women’s Health Program. Deuell says the 2005 law that created the program should exclude them already. It says that participating clinics can’t “perform or promote election abortions” or be “affiliates” of those that do.
But HHSC has for years overlooked the rule, fearing that barring Planned Parenthood clinics might be unconstitutional. After Deuell asked the AG for an opinion, HHSC Commissioner Tom Suehs sent in his own request for an opinion, asking the AG if HHSC had the authority to define the term “affiliate.”
Abbott says there’s no constitutional problem, and that the state is within its rights to exclude certain types of providers from Medicaid programs. He also said HHSC is within its rights to define the word “affiliate.”
While some Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas do perform abortions, those that provide family planning services under Texas’ Women’s Health Program do not — they screen Medicaid patients for breast and cervical cancer, STDs and prescribe birth control, among other services. Since 2007, 40 Planned Parenthood clinics have received a combined $17.6 million through the Women’s Health Program, according to HHSC records.
With Abbott’s opinion, HHSC spokeswoman Stephanie Goodman said, “We can now move forward to adopt a rule that restricts affiliates of abortion providers from getting Women’s Health Program funding.”
Planned Parenthood calls for support against GOP attack
As the struggle to keep the doors open at the legendary women’s clinic, Lyon-Martin Health Services, continues here in San Francisco, yet another blow to women’s health care at the national level has advocates sounding the alarm. Planned Parenthood has issued a call for help defeating a federal bill it’s calling “the most dangerous legislative assault on women’s health and Planned Parenthood in our 95-year history.”
Congress is gearing up to vote on the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, which would eliminate federal funding for all health-care services provided by any clinic that offers abortion services. The legislation places Planned Parenthood, a leading national provider of reproductive health care serving primarily low-income and uninsured women, squarely in the crosshairs.
The bill was proposed by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IL), who apparently has serious beef with Planned Parenthood.
While Pence has sought to convince lawmakers that the bill would eliminate federal funding only for abortions, its reach is actually much broader than that, and it would deliver a devastating blow to basic reproductive health services for millions of women.
“This bill would eliminate all federal funding for Planned Parenthood health centers — including funding for birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and more,” notes a statement on Planned Parenthood’s website. “The consequences of this bill are clear — and they would be devastating. More women would have unintended pregnancies. Cancer would develop, undiagnosed, in countless women. There is no doubt: cutting off millions of women from care they have no other way to afford places them at risk of sickness and death.”
Even Cosmo has weighed in, noting that this federal funding is helping millions of women stay healthy or detect early stages of disease: “Last year, that money (which would dry up completely if the bill is passed) went towards 2.2 million Pap tests, 2.3 million breast exams, and over six million tests for STDs.”
City Attorney Dennis Herrera has joined in the calls for defense of Planned Parenthood, issuing an email blast as part of his mayoral campaign asking voters to sign a petition against the Pence legislation. “New efforts by the far right to eliminate funding from all Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide pose a dangerous and immediate threat to women’s health,” Herrera wrote in the campaign message.
A number of other online petitions are circulating on this issue as well. Go here or here to learn more.
Southern Ocean County Hospital to Host 19th Annual Women’s Health Night
Online PR News – 17-February-2011 –Manahawkin, NJ – On Wednesday, October 27, the women of southern Ocean County will once again be treated to an evening devoted to their personal health and wellness. During the hours of 5:00 through 9:00 pm, the first floor of Southern Ocean County Hospital (SOCH) will be transformed into one of the region’s most comprehensive health events, featuring free health screenings, literature, educational seminars, and opportunities to meet SOCH physicians, interactive displays, free gifts and more!
It’s all part of Southern Ocean County Hospital’s 19th annual Women’s Health Night, scheduled for Wednesday, October 27, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
“Last year, nearly 400 women attended the event, demonstrating just how important these health services are to women in our community.” says Carol Schoenberger, RN, BSN, CDE, director of health resources at SOCH.
Registration begins at 5:00 pm, and guests are asked to enter through the main entrance and register at the Women’s Health Night Registration Desk in the main lobby.
Prior to the event a free lipid profile (cholesterol screening) will take place. Women who would like to take part in the lipid profile should come to the Beach Plum Conference Room at SOCH at 1140 Route 72 West on Monday MORNING, October 25 from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. Fasting for 12 hours is required prior to having blood drawn. That is why the blood draw will take place in the morning. The lipid profile results will be available during Women’s Health Night on October 27.
A variety of health screenings are also planned for the evening. The free screenings include: blood pressure, blood sugar, body fat analysis, bone densitometry, colorectal cancer, Dermascan, foot screenings, hearing screenings, pulmonary function and pap smears. Participants wishing to have a free pap smear are required to schedule an appointment through 1-800-DOCTORS.
In addition to the free lectures and health screenings, Women’s Health Night 2010 at Southern Ocean County Hospital also features a wealth of information on maternity services (http://www.jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com/JSUMC/services/maternity/index.cfm), nutrition, fitness, cancer, cardiology and other health issues related to women. Women will enjoy the dozens of interactive educational displays hosted by healthcare professional representing SOCH services and community organizations:
SOCH is located at 1140 Route 72 West in Manahawkin.