Branstad continues to pursue way of defunding Planned Parenthood

Gazette staff

DES MOINES - A day after a Texas grand jury cleared a Planned Parenthood organization there of criminal wrongdoing - but indicted two people who made covert videos that caused a national furor - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's office said Tuesday it would press ahead with a state law prohibiting government money going to any abortion provider.

'Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. (Kim) Reynolds have always believed in protecting the sanctity of life and were appalled by the videos where senior Planned Parenthood employees casually discussed the sale of aborted babies' body parts,” said a statement from Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes. 'Based on the advice of the Attorney General, the state of Iowa did not have the authority to cancel contracts with Planned Parenthood. However, Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds are working hand in hand with legislators supporting the position that was passed by the Iowa House last year.”

No state money goes to pay for abortions, but Planned Parenthood is reimbursed for other health services to Medicaid patients.

The Republican state officials are trying to develop language that prevents public money going toward any health provider that includes abortions among its services - a way of defunding Planned Parenthood without specifically naming it.

The Texas investigation had targeted a Houston Planned Parenthood organization after undercover videos purported it had illegally sold fetal tissue. A grand jury declined to file charges against the organization, but did lodge charges - including felonies - against two activists who made the videos, saying among other allegations that they had tampered with a government record - using fake IDs that resembled driver's licenses.