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| Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson |
Arkansas is ending its Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood, Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Friday, despite warnings federal officials have given other states that such a move could violate the law.
Hutchinson ordered the Arkansas Department of Human Services to terminate its Medicaid provider contract in 30 days. The move came in response to secretly recorded videos released by an anti-abortion group showing Planned Parenthood officials describing how they provide fetal tissue from abortions for medical research.
"It is apparent that after the recent revelations on the actions of Planned Parenthood, that this organization does not represent the values of the people of our state and Arkansas is better served by terminating any and all existing contracts with them," Hutchinson said in a statement.
As it turns out Arkansas may find themselves in some serious hot water over this decision.
Courtesy of Reuters:
The U.S. government has warned states moving to defund women's health group Planned Parenthood that they may be in conflict with federal law, officials said on Wednesday.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency, was in contact with officials in Louisiana and Alabama this month, said a spokesperson for the agency's parent, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The agency warned those two states that their plans to terminate Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood may illegally restrict beneficiary access to services, the spokesperson said in a statement.
I knew when I saw that first video that things were going to get bad, and I predict that this is just the beginning.
These conservatives have just been waiting for an excuse to go after Planned Parenthood, and to find a way to deny women access to contraceptives and now they have it.
Just exactly what AR needs too, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's going to backfire badly. Women vote. Women are a vital part of this nation. Women are going to flee the GOP, except those who are under the thumbs of domineering males who insist they have a babu a year, never get an education, and never work outside the domain. But those women are fewer and fewer. Woman Power 2016!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think you speak for all women, even though you think you do.
Delete4:10pm
Delete3:09 doesn't speak for an idiot like you. You do a fine job all by yourself.
How did this country get so fuken stupid?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's the country that got stupid. I think apathy on the left and middle allowed the right wing to get more candidates into office, starting with the local and state and working their way up to the federal level. Then the gerrymandering and voter suppression followed.
DeleteIt's a small minority that is actually stupid, but the stupid voters have helped the stupid politicians into achieving far too much power. They're also a lot they're louder than the sane and intelligent people!
The middle 'allowed' or the middle 'wanted' more candidates from the right...? Methinks it is the latter, as the middle witnessed once again how the left always uses social issues to push agendas, rather than doing their job of actually running the government.
Delete4:14 - BS
Delete4:14 - I think you're grossly mistaken. There's a social issue being used to push an agenda here but it isn't the left that's doing the pushing. It's the result of all the things, and more, that 3:58 mentioned,
DeleteAs for the left not doing their job of running the government, can you tell me which party has had a majority in the House since 2012? Can you list the things that this faction has done to help the American people, as opposed to helping the 1%, corporations, banks or themselves? It's the far-right party (a right-wing party no longer exists). These fear-mongers are good at throwing social issues like this to the middle in order to distract them from the real and substantive issues facing this country.
Try looking at the facts of the situation. The world isn't the black-and-white painted by the extremists.
People "on the left" and "in the middle" stopped voting and paying attention. Instead continue to do nothing but complain.
DeleteAnd of course the GOP will scream forever there is no War on Women. It will be a GOP bloodbath at the polls next election.
ReplyDeleteAre they also gonna stop sending people to the US military. That organization actually kills hundreds of women and children each year.
ReplyDeleteOh, look. It's Wayne LaPierre's butt boy. This is the guy who came up with the NRA' answer to scoop shootings, the School Shield Plan. And now this.
ReplyDeletePlanned Parenthood is safe. The Donald has spoken.
ReplyDeleteO/T Virginia Gentleman C4P stuff:
"My comments have been down loaded and studied in college and high school government and history classes and my views on God and religion have been down loaded and discussed Sunday schools and Sabbath schools.
And my comments concerning the military and the Constitution are read by American Warriors whenever they can down load them."
This guy is a troll, right? Wrong. He's legit. He's a beloved regular. And he clearly lost his mind several years ago. He thinks he's a Super VIP with armed guards protecting him. The armed guards, fyi, are active duty soldier volunteers.
Is it cruel to laugh at him?
He was for Planned Parenthood before he just recently became against it. I still find it amazing that these men have so much say in women's health issues. We are not a third world country but it seems they want so badly for us to walk two paces behind them. Their childish jealousy of a woman's body and its unique capabilities -- its control over the workforce and world population disgusts me. #youjealous ought to be the new campaign slogan for women's rights.
DeleteBe right back! Going to see if that hashtag is being used right now.
I hope the President slashes federal funding to both of those states pronto.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the article, you introduce Asa as Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson. At a glance, I read that as Reverand Governor Asa H. I chuckled at my mistake and then thought about it again. Actually, I think that's a pretty good label for those sanctimonious bastards. From now on, I'm calling them: Rev. Rick Perry, Rev. Rick Santorum, Rev. Ben Carson, etc. I hope it becomes an epithet that acknowledges that these people see this country as a theocracy not a secular democracy. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteYes, I was thinking they are all Charlatans.
DeleteIf you want to hear what the real Jesus might be saying or thinking, one need look no further than Bernie Sanders. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, help those in prison, single payer healthcare etc...
Great idea, physicsmom!
DeleteAsa just taught Arkansas we ARE a Christian nation, that despises women, doesn't want them healthy NOR have a say in anything to do with health or women's productive issues.
ReplyDeleteWill the last sane person, please take the flag with you before exiting Arkansas? Better yet, defund Arkansas AND Asa for denying women their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Sadly, I think this is far from over. Crazy, yes, but far from over, the war on women will be the GOP's Achille's Heel.
Greetings Anita,
DeleteI think they have become ridiculed and jealous of their counterparts from other countries who makes sure their women "know their place". #BabyBoomerPeerPressure
I look at people like this and think how incredibly sad that they have even been put in a position of power.
ReplyDeleteWhen birth control is not readily accessible, the pregnancy rate and abortion rates will increase. There are easily seen consequences to the Governor's actions.
ReplyDeleteOf course Arkansas is one of those states that can most benefit from Planned Parenthood. Just how stupid can governors be in this day and age?
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom