Rep. Marlin Stutzman reacts to HHS ruling
June 1, 2011
Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman issued this statement today in reaction to an HHS ruling challenging Indiana’s right to remove public fuding from Indiana’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood:
“I am incredibly disappointed to hear that the Administration has chosen not to approve Indiana’s Medicaid Plan. Last Friday, I worked with my pro-life Hoosier colleagues to send a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. In that letter, I firmly asserted my belief that Indiana is well within both the letter and spirit of Federal guidelines.”
“Today, despite this regrettable announcement, I will reiterate the stubborn fact that Indiana’s law will not change Medicaid services. Freedom of choice is preserved. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) identified approximately 800 provider locations that will still provide non-abortion, health and family planning services under the new law. These facts are clear.”
“I take it very seriously when any administration tells a State that it cannot administer its own programs. Health and Human Services should respect the will of Hoosiers who simply ask that their tax dollars do not subsidize an entity that maintains an abortion clinic. The administration cannot quietly strong arm State governments. This is quickly becoming a national issue as lawmakers across the nation are considering similar proposals. I am confident that Indiana will vigorously appeal this determination in the next 60 days, meanwhile the law will remain in effect.”
Press advisory: Obama administration will try to force Indiana to resume public funding for Planned Parenthood
June 1, 2011
The following statement was issued today by Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter in response to an Associated Press report that the federal Health and Human Services Department considers Indiana’s new law to remove public funds from Planned Parenthood illegal:
“The Obama administration appears to be intent on trying to force Indiana to subsidize the business of abortion in direct contrast to the desires of the state legislature and the people of Indiana. Indiana must refuse to be bullied by the federal government and must challenge this politically-charged determination with full vigor. The state of Indiana has a right to determine how it will manage its Medicaid program and to select the providers it will partner with. Planned Parenthood is not entitled to public funding.”
Press advisory: Indiana Congressional Delegation sends letter of support for defunding Planned Parenthood
June 1, 2011
Eight members of Indiana’s Congressional Delegation have co-signed a letter in support of Indiana’s law defunding Planned Parenthood to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging the HHS to respect the intent of the Indiana state legislature and to accept the will of the people of Indiana.
The letter, which was submitted to Secretary Sebelius on May 27, 2011, is signed by eight of the eleven members of Indiana’s Congressional delegation, including Senator Dan Coats, Senator Richard Lugar, Representative Larry Bucshon, Representative Dan Burton, Representative Mike Pence, Representative Todd Rokita, Representative Marlin Stutzman, and Representative Todd Young.
Indiana Congressional Delegation letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius
A focal point of the Indiana Congressional Delegation’s letter is support for Indiana’s closing of public funding loopholes that undermine the spirit of Hyde Amendment restrictions on federal monies, particularly when public funds for non-abortion services are used to pay for total operational costs. “In reality, by paying for total operational costs, these subsidies free other funds for abortions,” states the letter. “Passage of HEA 1210 has effectively closed any potential loophole and committed Hoosiers to the true intent of the Hyde Amendment.” The State of Indiana underscored these concerns last week by asserting that Planned Parenthood of Indiana’s audited financial statements for 2009-2010 “provide no record that PPIN makes any effort either to segregate Medicaid reimbursements from other unrestricted revenue sources or to allocate the costs of its various lines of business.”
The Indiana Congressional Delegation letter also affirms that Indiana’s new law fulfills Medicaid’s commitment to non-abortion services, noting, “Despite consistent claims to the contrary, Indiana law does not change Medicaid recipients’ benefits. It only changes where Hoosiers receive their benefits.”
“The majority of Indiana’s congressional delegation has spoken clearly in support of Indiana’s right to end public funding for businesses that do abortions in Indiana,” states Indiana Right to Life President and CEO. “We trust that Secretary Sebelius will respect this right and will affirm Indiana’s right to structure its own Medicaid program.”
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