Statement from President and CEO, Ken Lambrecht, on Medicaid Decision

Austin, TX: Today, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas politicians will be able to block Medicaid patients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood health centers.

Read Now: Texas can kick Planned Parenthood out of its Medicaid program, federal appeals court rules

Statement of Ken Lambrecht, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas

"While bearing the health and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, low-income Texans again face unnecessary, politically-motivated barriers to essential healthcare. To justify removing options for healthcare now, using years-old, discredited hidden camera footage is outrageous and dangerous. Although this ruling has yet to take effect, and Medicaid patients continue to receive birth control, annual exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and more at Planned Parenthood, Governor Abbott’s mandate to block access to that care will soon take effect. Less than half of Texas physicians accept and provide care for Medicaid patients. Texans need and deserve increased access to healthcare, not less, particularly during an extended pandemic. And Texans, no matter their zip code or income level, have the right to choose their healthcare provider. For decades, the choice of thousands of Medicaid patients has been the trusted, expert care at Planned Parenthood."