After a recording of a private conversation
discussing medical research was brought to light, Planned Parenthood was accused of
illegally selling fetal tissue. This was a prime opportunity for Republicans, who were already fighting to take the organization down, to pounce upon. And
they did, some would say to their own detriment. The recording was later
discovered to be a fake, set up by anti-abortion activists who were indicted
for the fraudulent activity.
Despite
losing their proof of Planned Parenthood conducting illegal activities, Republican
officials (including Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Attorney General
Ken Paxton) continue to press on in their investigations into the organization. Sen. Charles Schwertner supported the further investigation and didn't see "the announcement...fundamentally changing the situation".
While they may not be getting far in their battle to take Planned Parenthood to
court and shut them down, they are doing a fine job of cutting off as many
resources as possible from P.P. While in the process of moving to boot Planned
Parenthood from the Medicaid program, which would reduce funding by $1.3 million a year, politicians have prohibited anyone affiliated with abortion providers
(this includes P.P) to continue contracts under the state’s Abstinence
Education Services program. The provider that P.P. uses for HIV testing,
prevention, counseling and education has also chosen to make a political move
to support the Republicans and not renewed their $600,000 contract.
This
article found in the Texas Tribune proved worth reading most when it broke down each
of the efforts of politicians to work against Planned Parenthood and the few
results that have actually come from the the time and (our) money that they are
spending doing so.
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