Court Protects Kansans’ Access to Care at Planned Parenthood

For Immediate Release: July 6, 2016

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WASHINGTON D.C. – A federal district court in Kansas issued a preliminary injunction to protect access to birth control, lifesaving cancer screenings, and other preventive health care at Planned Parenthood while its case proceeds. This follows a string of recent victories in the last week, with courts blocking 7 laws targeting access to reproductive health care since Monday, including in Florida, Indiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Texas.

 

In its order, the Court rejected the State of Kansas’ claims that Medicaid patients will have access to other health care providers, noting that the State’s “exaggerated” list of other providers included sleep centers, podiatrists, and dermatologists, echoing claims made by politicians in Florida, Louisiana and Ohio.

 

Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Yet another court has said it is unacceptable for politicians to dictate where women can go for their health care. This case is about the people who rely on us for basic care every day.  We’ll continue fighting in Florida, Indiana, Kansas, and anywhere else there are efforts to block our patients from the care they need.”

 

Statement from Laura McQuade, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains (formerly Planned Parenthood Kansas and Mid-Missouri):

“Today’s ruling is a victory for Kansans who rely on Planned Parenthood for high quality, specialized health care. It is shameful that Governor Brownback is trying to score political points by blocking families from accessing their trusted health care provider. This case isn’t about Planned Parenthood — it’s about the hard working Kansans who seek critical preventive care at our health centers.”

 

Statement from Mary M. Kogut, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri:

“This is a victory for freedom of choice. Every person deserves quality health care and the ability to choose their own provider. For thousands of women and men, their provider is Planned Parenthood. For decades, we have provided high quality health care for Medicaid recipients, and continuing to meet the needs of all our patients is a top priority. Our promise is to continue caring for our community. Our doors stay open.”

 

If allowed to stand, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s action would harm hundreds of low-income women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood in Kansas every year for basic, preventive health care through Medicaid. Planned Parenthood health centers serve an outsized role in meeting the health care needs for those who rely on federally­ funded health programs. In the Kansas City metro, the Planned Parenthood served 35% of the women in need of affordable contraception at publicly funded family planning health centers.

 

The Kansas suit was filed in May by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid Missouri (now Planned Parenthood Great Plains), Planned Parenthood St Louis Region and Southwest Missouri and 14 co-plaintiffs to stop Governor Brownback’s illegal attempt to block Medicaid patients from accessing preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers.

 

On July 1, 2016, Planned Parenthood Kansas and Mid-Missouri changed its name to Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

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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 over 650 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.