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Planned Parenthood funding remains intact, attacks continue
“The question before us is does this organization, does Planned Parenthood, really need federal subsidy?” Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman...
In an effort to deflect the controversy surrounding its practices around fetal tissue donation, Planned Parenthood announced it will no longer accept reimbursement for the collection of fetal tissue from abortions.
“In order to completely debunk the disingenuous argument that our opponents have been using – and to reveal the true political purpose of these attacks – our Federation has decided, going forward, that any Planned Parenthood health center that is involved in donating tissue after an abortion for medical research will follow the model already in place at one of our two affiliates currently facilitating donations for fetal tissue research,” Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said in an Oct. 13 letter to the National Institutes of Health. “That affiliate accepts no reimbursement for its reasonable expenses – even though reimbursement is fully permitted” under federal law.
Planned Parenthood has been under fire for months after undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress showed Planned Parenthood employees discussing the collection of fetal tissue from abortions. The Center for Medical Progress has charged that Planned Parenthood is illegally profitting from fetal tissue collection, an allegation that Planned Parenthood has disputed.
The videos have prompted investigations in Congress and a few votes in the House to defund Planned Parenthood, though defunding attempts in the Senate have proven unsuccessful.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
“When the attacks in Washington and in states continue, as we unfortunately expect they will, let it be clear once and for all that they have nothing to do with concern over fetal tissue donation and everything to do with banning abortion in the U.S.,” Ms. Richards said in a separate statement.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), vice chair of the House Energy and Commerce Commmittee, said she welcomed the policy change but indicated that the investigations would continue.
“I’m glad to see Planned Parenthood is finally recognizing the need to end this disgusting practice. It’s about time,” Rep. Blackburn said in a statement. “However, there are still many questions yet to be answered surrounding Planned Parenthood’s business practices and relationships with the procurement organizations. This is exactly why the House is investigating abortion practices and how we can better protect life.”
