Statement from Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri on Governor Brownback’s Politically Motivated Call for State “Investigation”

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2015

Share This

In response to Kansas Governor Brownback’s announcement that he has directed the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as well as the Kansas Board of Healing Arts to investigate allegations resulting from illicitly obtained videos filled with false accusations against Planned Parenthood, PPKM President and CEO Laura McQuade issued the following statement today:

Statement from Laura McQuade, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri

“These political attacks claiming that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation or illegal activity are simply not true. Some Planned Parenthood affiliates in the country have programs for women and families who want to donate tissue to leading research institutions that will use it to help find treatment and cures for diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Our affiliate does not have or participate in tissue donation programs. Planned Parenthood follows all laws and has the highest medical and ethical standards. The fact that Planned Parenthood in Kansas does not participate in tissue donation programs underscores that calls for an investigation are about political grandstanding, not facts. This is yet another orchestrated attempt to restrict access to safe, legal abortion in Kansas and to the needed services Planned Parenthood has provided for nearly 100 years. We will, of course, cooperate fully with any investigation.”

 

FURTHER BACKGROUND:

• 5 Facts About the Latest Smear Attack on Planned Parenthood https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/elections-politics/blog/5-facts-about-latest-video-smear-attack-planned-parenthood/
• LA Times: Undercover video sting of Planned Parenthood is off-base, as usual http://www.latimes.com/local/abcarian/la-me-ra-attacks-on-planned-parenthood-20150716-column.html#page=1
• Washington Post: Planned Parenthood deserves to be supported, not attacked
• http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/planned-parenthood-deserves-to-be-supported-not-attacked/2015/07/16/373c8f58-2bba-11e5-a5ea-cf74396e59ec_story.html
• MSNBC: Why A Congressman Would Say, ‘This Interview Didn’t Happen’ http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-congressman-would-say-interview-didnt-happen
• NBC News: Planned Parenthood Video: Why Use Tissue From Aborted Fetuses? http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/planned-parenthood-video-raises-question-why-use-tissue-fetuses-n393431
• A personal perspective on the decision to donate: “Knowing that we had an option that could lead to scientific discoveries to prevent other couples’ suffering down the line was a gift back to us,” writes Linda N. from Milwaukee. Read Linda’s story: http://plannedparenthood.tumblr.com/post/124246458797/the-latest-smear-campaign-that-falsely-portrays

###

Planned Parenthood is a vital resource for our community and for women and families throughout Kansas and Missouri. We are a trusted advocate and source of health care and education for thousands of women, men, and children. For 80 years, women have relied on Planned Parenthood to keep themselves and their families safe and healthy.