LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The governor of Arkansas has directed the state Department of Human Services to terminate its Medicaid contract with the abortion giant Planned Parenthood.
In compliance with the request, the department sent a letter to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland on Friday as notice that the contract was being terminated.
“[T]he Arkansas Department of Human Services is hereby exercising its authority to terminate its existing agreements with Planned Parenthood of Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma,” the correspondence reads. “The termination … will be effective 30 days from the date of this letter.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson has also released a statement about the move, remarking that the decision was influenced by the recent video exposes’ outlining Planned Parenthood’s apparent harvesting and sale of aborted baby organs.
“It is apparent that after the recent revelations on the actions of Planned Parenthood, that this organization does not represent the values of the people of our state and Arkansas is better served by terminating any and all existing contracts with them,” he said. “This includes their affiliated organization, Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma.”
Planned Parenthood likewise released a statement, stating that by revoking the agreement, states like Arkansas are aligning themselves with “extremists.”
“The politicians behind these reckless policies have allied themselves with extremists who will stop at nothing to end access to abortion—breaking laws, pushing misinformation, and violence and harassment of women and doctors,” it read in part.
Arkansas is the fourth state to pull funding to Planned Parenthood, following Alabama, Louisiana and New Hampshire. As previously reported, the New Hampshire State Executive Council voted earlier this month despite objections from Gov. Mary Hassan to cancel its $650,000 contract with the abortion giant. The funds will be reallocated to other women’s health facilities.
The day prior, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that the state would terminate Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid contract.
“Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the people of Louisiana and shows a fundamental disrespect for human life,” he said. “It has become clear that this is not an organization that is worthy of receiving public assistance from the state.”
The Obama administration has contended that it is illegal for states to terminate Medicaid contracts with Planned Parenthood because of its abortion services. Medicaid payments do not include abortions, but still provide support to the organization.
“Even though we anticipate a federal review, standing up for Arkansas values is most important to the governor,” spokesman J.R. Davis told the Arkansas Times.
“American tax dollars should not be used to subsidize billion-dollar corporations that inhumanely and illegally sell baby body parts,” Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel Casey Mattox said in a statement. “Tax dollars that went to two Planned Parenthood clinics in Arkansas will be better used by the 179 community health centers and other clinics that actually provide comprehensive health care. We commend the governor and hope other states will follow his example.”
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