Supreme Court Announcement Is Another Court Victory for Hoosiers

Planned Parenthood & ACLU:  Decision Affirms Politics Simply Doesn’t Have a Place in Women’s Health

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana share breaking news this morning that the United States Supreme Court has left standing a decision that preserves the right of women and men in the Medicaid program to access preventive health care services at Planned Parenthood health centers.  The case will now proceed in U.S. District Court, which previously invalidated efforts by the State of Indiana to prevent Medicaid enrollees from accessing health care at Planned Parenthood.

PPIN, represented by attorneys with the ACLU of Indiana and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, filed suit to protect health care access for the Hoosiers who utilize preventive health services, including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, well-woman exams and STD prevention and treatment, at its health centers across Indiana.  Planned Parenthood has successfully argued before both a federal district court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals that a 2011 Indiana state law (HEA 1210) should be blocked because it likely conflicts with the federal Medicaid statute, which protects patients’ rights to make their own decisions about healthcare providers. 

"This has been a long fight, but one that has been worthwhile because we've been fighting on behalf of our patients and their access to lifesaving, preventive care such as Pap tests, breast and testicular exams, birth control and STD testing and treatment,” said Betty Cockrum, PPIN’s president and CEO.  “While the state has been trying to score political points and wasting taxpayer dollars, we've been standing up for the Hoosiers who count on us every day.  We look forward to the day the preliminary injunction in this case becomes permanent." 

“We are happy that the Supreme Court’s action lets stand the appeals court ruling that the state does not have plenary authority to exclude a class of providers for any reason,” said Jane Henegar, ACLU of Indiana executive director. “Federal law protects the right of Medicaid patients to choose a health care provider free of interference from the state.”

Each year, Planned Parenthood Indiana provides care to more 75,000 Hoosiers, nearly 9,300 of whom are enrolled in Medicaid.  Planned Parenthood of Indiana, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the ACLU pledge to fight for these Indiana women and their families, and the care PPIN has been providing for more than 80 years.

Additional Background Facts:

In the case Planned Parenthood of Indiana v. Commissioner of the Indiana State Dept. of Health, Planned Parenthood argues the 2011 state law, HEA 1210, conflicts with the federal Medicaid statute which protects patients’ right to make his or her own decisions about health care providers, and is also unconstitutional.    

Planned Parenthood of Indiana’s public funding comes from the federal government and goes entirely toward preventive health care. Just like hospitals and other health care providers, Planned Parenthood health centers in Indiana receive reimbursements from Medicaid only for specific eligible services.  In accordance with state law and the federal Hyde amendment, Medicaid funds cannot cover the cost of abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the life of the woman. 

Like all health care providers, Planned Parenthood is routinely audited to ensure government funds are used effectively and appropriately.  Planned Parenthood first started in Indiana in 1932 and has remained a trusted provider of health care and education for more than eight decades.

To access the Supreme Court's list of orders today, please click here:

 www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/052813zor_j5fl.pdf. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.