Planned Parenthood Sues La. Over Cutoff of Medicaid Money

A Louisiana Planned Parenthood unit sued the state in federal court Tuesday seeking to block Gov. Bobby Jindal’s order to terminate Medicaid funding for the organization, The Wall Street Journal writes.

Three patients joined Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast in asking the court for an injunction barring the order from taking effect September 2.

Mr. Jindal, a Republican presidential candidate, said Planned Parenthood does not represent Louisiana’s values, citing the ongoing release of undercover videos by anti-abortion activists who purport the women’s health group profits from the sale of fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood has strongly denied the claim, and the Obama administration warned states that blocking federally overseen Medicaid money for qualified providers of health services, including Planned Parenthood clinics, could violate U.S. law.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who is also seeking the GOP presidential nomination, urged evangelical pastors in a conference call Tuesday to support his drive to tie congressional approval of any federal spending to an end to taxpayer support for Planned Parenthood, The Washington Post writes.