Texas Officials Raid Several Planned Parenthood Facilities After Republicans Bar Abortion Group From Receiving Medicaid Money

By Reuters
Planned Parenthood
A sign is pictured at the entrance to a Planned Parenthood building in New York August 31, 2015.  REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 Texas officials raided several Planned Parenthood facilities on Thursday, the group said, in a move that comes days after the state's Republicans leaders barred the women's health group from receiving state Medicaid money.

The raids were carried out at Planned Parenthood health centers in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio by representatives from the Texas Office of the Inspector General.

The Inspector General's office declined to comment. Its agents were seen on local news reports entering a Planned Parenthood facility in San Antonio.

Texas, the most populous Republican-controlled U.S. state, said it would launch a probe of Planned Parenthood after the release of videos in July by anti-abortion activist group Center for Medical Progress in which a Planned Parenthood official is seen talking about transactions involving fetal tissue.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said this week "the gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed," but so far the state has released no evidence of illegal activity by the group.

Planned Parenthood, which has denied any wrongdoing, accused Abbott of grandstanding in launching the raids.

Texas officials are "looking for an excuse to take health care away from thousands of women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood for preventive care," the group said in a statement.

In a letter to Planned Parenthood clinics in the state this month, Texas health officials said all funding from Medicaid, the government healthcare program for the poor, was being cut because of what it characterized as program violations captured on the videos.

Arkansas and Louisiana, two neighboring states that have launched similar moves to cut state Medicaid funding, have been on the losing end of federal lawsuits, with judges blocking their attempts to halt funds.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina and other Republican U.S. presidential candidates have generally called for defunding Planned Parenthood, while Democratic hopefuls have supported the organization.

Planned Parenthood announced earlier this month it would no longer accept reimbursement for fetal tissue donated for research following abortions.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

    Most Popular

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo

  • Woman pastor analyzes: How Chinese gender culture shapes female ministers’ roles in churches

    In traditional Chinese culture, deeply ingrained notions of gender roles, often expressed as "male strong, female weak," significantly influence the position of women in society and the church. This issue is particularly pertinent for female pastors navigating their roles in ministry. Rev. Dora Wang, Ph.D., from China Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), recently addressed this topic in a seminar, sharing her insights on the challenges women face in ministry and proposing strategies to su

Top Stories