Planned Parenthood of Indiana expects to start offering services to Medicaid patients again Saturday after a federal judge ruled the state is not allowed to cut off the organization’s public funding for general health services, thereby restricting Medicaid recipients’ freedom to choose their health care provider.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt’s ruling Friday blocked parts of a tough new abortion law and granted Planned Parenthood of Indiana’s request for an injunction on the state’s move to defund the organization. The decision sides with federal officials who said states cannot restrict Medicaid recipients’ choice of health care provider or disqualify Medicaid providers merely because they also offer abortions.
The state likely will appeal.
(READ the article from NPR News)