A court is now considering a case that could have a big impact on Planned Parenthood, a major provider of abortions. The case focuses on how Planned Parenthood used Medicaid money in Texas and Louisiana.
If Planned Parenthood is found to have misused funds, they could be forced to pay back as much as $1.8 billion. Some people believe this could seriously hurt Planned Parenthood’s ability to operate across the country.
The issue began when videos came out showing Planned Parenthood staff talking about selling tissue from aborted babies. This led Texas and Louisiana to stop giving Planned Parenthood Medicaid funds.
Planned Parenthood sued, and at first, a court allowed them to keep getting the money. But that decision was later overturned.
Now, the court is looking at whether Planned Parenthood should have been collecting Medicaid money during the time they were fighting to keep it. Planned Parenthood says they were told by their lawyers that it was okay.
Those who want to protect the unborn see this case as a chance to make sure taxpayer money is not used to support abortion. They hope that if Planned Parenthood has to pay back a large amount of money, it will have a hard time continuing its operations.
A lawyer for Planned Parenthood claims the case is a political attack. She says Planned Parenthood provides important health care to many people.
Recently, Congress voted to stop giving Planned Parenthood Medicaid money for one year at the federal level.
