Judge rules Louisiana must fund Planned Parenthood for 14 more days

Planned Parenthood blasted the decision, noting that thousands of women seek non-abortion health care services through Medicaid at its clinics statewide. It also said, "your staff were not trained in infection control and barrier precautions with regard to the handling of fetal blood and tissue or they failed to comply with the minimum standards that mandatory training requires..." On Monday, a federal judge ordered Louisiana to continue providing Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics for 14 more days.

The action taken by the Texas agency is one of a number taken by Texas officials and lawmakers targeting Planned Parenthood in recent years.

Two federal courts in the past have ruled states can't block Planned Parenthood from getting Medicaid funds if it meets the requirements of a qualified provider.

Clapper continued, "Our research shows that there are numerous low-priced women's healthcare providers in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas that can meet the needs of Planned Parenthood clients". The group says only 1 percent of its health centers donate fetal tissue for research and do so according to federal law.

On August 3, Mr. Jindal issued a statement announcing the termination of the state's Medicaid contract with Planned Parenthood because it does not "represent the values" of Louisiana "in regards to respecting human life". Planned Parenthood has denied any wrongdoing and has said the videos were subject to biased editing.

Planned Parenthood officials countered that the effort was part of a pattern by Texas officials to curb women's access to gender-specific health-care, including abortions. They argue that the videos have been heavily edited and they intend to "fight back against this outrageous, malicious, political attack in Texas with everything we've got" in order to continue to provide and protect women's access to medical care.

"Uncontradicted evidence in the record at this time is that PPGC does not perform abortions in Louisiana, is not involved in the sale of fetal tissue and none of the conduct in question occurred at the PPGC's two Louisiana facilities", Louisiana federal judge John deGravelles wrote.

Planned Parenthood spokesman Eric Ferrero says the organization has not made up its mind whether to sue, as has happened in other states which have ended taxpayer funding. The five-page letter from state health officials said the organization was "no longer capable of performing medical services in a professionally competent, safe, legal, and ethical manner".

The release claimed deGravelles' order as a victory for the recipients of women's health care through Medicaid. The videos showed the Planned Parenthood affiliate violating procedures by attempting to harvest fetal organs for donation and allowing private citizens access to the lab while only wearing gloves. The truth is: "there are real alternatives to Planned Parenthood that offer high-quality, affordable women's health care".