After a legal battle that began in 2011, the state of Indiana and Planned Parenthood reached a settlement protecting Medicaid and Medicare funding for the organization.
In 2011, Indiana became the first state to defund Planned Parenthood after it passed a law that prohibited the organization from receiving about $2 million in federal money, much of which was for Medicaid services. After multiple rulings in favor of Planned Parenthood, the state of Indiana appealed to the Supreme Court. Following the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt issued a permanent injunction against the law. The injunction came one day after the state and Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky filed a settlement acknowledging that the state could not violate Medicaid’s “freedom of choice” provision.
“We are extremely happy that the federal law protecting the rights of patients to choose their health care providers has been upheld so that thousands of Hoosiers can continue to receive necessary medical care,”said ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk. The ACLU joined Planned Parenthood in the lawsuit.
Betty Cockrum, President of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, said in a statement that “This is a huge step forward, with the state conceding that they no longer have any recourse. It’s yet another positive development in our efforts to ensure that our patients’ access to lifesaving, preventive care such as Pap tests, breast and testicular exams, birth control and STD testing and treatment remains protected.”
Media Resources: Associated 7/30/2013; Indianapolis Star 7/30/2013; Feminist Newswire 7/10/2013, 5/11/2011
