Rep. Veasey and Texas Democrats Urge Obama Administration to Protect Access to Quality Healthcare Providers

Press Release

Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, led the Texas Democratic Delegation letter to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services' (CMS) Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt urging the agency to intervene and protect Medicaid beneficiaries' ability to receive care from Planned Parenthood centers in Texas. Recently, Governor Abbott's administration announced their intention to ban Planned Parenthood from participating in the state's Medicaid program.

According to Medicaid's "freedom of choice" provision, states are prohibited from restricting access to qualified healthcare providers. Violating this provision places Texas at risk of losing federal funding for Medicaid. Planned Parenthood is a critical healthcare provider that allows thousands of women to access crucial preventative and reproductive care services, including breast or cervical cancer screenings, HIV tests, and birth control. According to a July 2015 CMS report, approximately 13,000 Texas residents choose Planned Parenthood as their healthcare provider.

"One of my top priorities in Congress is ensuring that low-income residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare. By blocking Planned Parenthood from Texas' Medicaid program, Governor Abbott is once again placing unnecessary obstacles that prevent poor residents in my district and across the state from securing the healthcare services they need," Congressman Veasey said. "Instead of creating unnecessary obstacles to quality healthcare, federal and state officials should be working together to ensure residents have access to the resources they need to live healthy lives regardless of zip code or income."

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