Indiana not allowed to defund Planned Parenthood

The Health and Human Services Department said Wednesday that the defunding of Planned Parenthood of Indiana is illegal. Indiana's Medicaid director received a letter from the federal government saying HEA 1210 violates federal law.



Indianapolis (By Heather MacWilliams, Fox59) — The Health and Human Services Department said Wednesday that the de-funding of Planned Parenthood of Indiana is illegal. Indiana's Medicaid director received a letter from the federal government that HEA 1210 violates federal law.

The new law bars the state of Indiana from providing money to any facilities, besides hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers, that provide abortions.

In a letter to the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning, Donald M. Berwick explained the denial.

Berwick wrote, "federal law requires Medicaid beneficiaries to be able to obtain services from from any provider qualified to provide services."