Hultgren Supports Bill Giving States Flexibility to Redirect Medicaid Dollars away from Abortion Providers

Statement

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today voted with the House to pass H.R. 3495, the Women's Public Health and Safety Act. This bill provides state governments with flexibility to choose to only include in a state's Medicaid program health care providers who do not perform, or participate in the performance of, elective abortions. There are only 18 Planned Parenthood clinics in Illinois while there are 670 Federally Qualified Health Centers (Community Health Centers) providing more comprehensive care. This bill allows states to direct funds to health care providers delivering the best care to poor women and children.

Specifically, the bill:

Allows a state to establish criteria regarding the participation in its Medicaid program for institutions, agencies, entities, or persons who perform, or participate in the performance of, elective abortions.

The flexibility does not apply to cases in which health care providers only participate in the performance of, or perform, abortions resulting from rape or incest, or in which the life of the mother is endangered.

"When states are cash-strapped, it's important they have the flexibility to ensure Medicaid dollars are directed to the most effective health care providers who can best serve poor women and children. Given the appalling activities revealed to be occurring at Planned Parenthood clinics, states should have the option to direct tax dollars away from abortion providers like Planned Parenthood and toward comprehensive health care providers," said Rep. Hultgren. "If Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers want to continue to receive Medicaid dollars, the solution is simple: stop performing abortions. States, rightfully appalled at directing money to an organization caught selling the lungs and livers of aborted children for profit, should have the right of refusal when it comes to taxpayer dollars."

In 2013 alone, Planned Parenthood performed 327,653 abortions.

According to a Government Accountability Office report, Planned Parenthood received about $1.2 billion through Medicaid over a three-year period.

Source