Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Missouri AG Finds No Evidence Of Wrongdoing By Local Planned Parenthood Clinic
An investigation in Missouri found no evidence that Planned Parenthood's St. Louis clinic mishandled fetal tissue or engaged in unlawful activity, Attorney General Chris Koster's office said on Monday. Koster, a Democrat, launched the investigation after an anti-abortion group released videos in July alleging that Planned Parenthood illegally sold fetal tissue in other states. Officials in other states also launched investigations. (9/28)
The Utah branch of Planned Parenthood sued the governor on Monday for ordering state agencies to cut off federal funding to the organization following the release of secretly recorded videos by an anti-abortion group. Republican Gov. Gary Herbert's action was unconstitutional and based on unfounded allegations, the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah said in federal court documents. (9/28)
Amid the politically charged debate over whether public funding for Planned Parenthood should be cut off, state Auditor Dave Yost ran a check on the non-profit organization's use of public money on abortions. Over the last two months, at Yost's request, employees in the Ohio Department of Medicaid have gathered data on the services Planned Parenthood has provided to Ohio Medicaid patients. No irregularities were found. (Higgs, 9/28)