Tennessee Attorney General Sues Federal Government For Illegally Diverting Health Funds To Planned Parenthood
Image Credit: Dwain Currier, American Life League / CC & tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Tennessee Attorney General Johnathan Skrmetti has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in Knoxville seeking to overturn a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decision that essentially withholds millions of dollars in “family planning funds” from Tennessee because of the state’s current ban on abortion.
Earlier this year, despite being a program recipient since its 1970 launch, Tennessee was disqualified from participating in the family planning funds program known as Title X.
It was reported that the state was recently collecting approximately $7.1 million annually from the program, which was put towards funding around 100 clinics that provide birth control and basic health care services mainly to low-income women throughout the state.
However, the program has become increasingly wrapped up in the fight over abortion access, and under the latest program rules clinics cannot use federal family planning money to pay for abortions, but in order to receive funds clinics must offer information about abortion at the request of patients.
It was announced in September that Tennessee’s Title X funds were being reallocated to Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi.
“This year, the federal government illegally diverted [Tennessee’s] funds to Planned Parenthood,” stated Skrmetti.
Skrmetti’s lawsuit alleges that the federal government never informed state officials of how the overturning of Roe v. Wade and new program rules would impact state funding for states with abortion restrictions.
“We are suing to stop the federal government from playing politics with the health of Tennessee women,” Skrmetti stated. “Our lawsuit is necessary to ensure that Tennessee can continue its 50-year track record of successfully providing these public health services to its neediest populations.”
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
GOOD!!
Planned Parenthood is just another Democrat created criminal organization!!! Is has been allowed to survive far too long! The AG needs to be diligent in returning the taxpayers money to the state health dept. The question now is – has this criminal organization conducted abortion since they were barred from the practice in TN, or, are they paying the expenses for young women to travel to other states to get one??? Also, the oatmeal brain President has been paying the way for illegal alien 17 yr old girls to come into the US for an abortion and go back to Mexico. This also needs some looking into.