Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Republicans Call New Political Play After Controversial Planned Parenthood Video
Republicans on Capitol Hill are betting the secretly filmed Planned Parenthood video — depicting an executive allegedly discussing the sale of fetal organs from terminated pregnancies — will give them cover to more aggressively push abortion issues without the political ramifications that have haunted the party in the past. (Bade and Kim, 7/16)
The president of Planned Parenthood responded to accusations against the organization Thursday, denouncing lawmakers and anti-abortion groups who have rallied for investigations of the group's practices. "I want to be really clear: The allegation that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation is not true," said Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards in a video. (Calfas, 7/16)
Planned Parenthood's president apologized on Thursday for the "tone and statements" of a senior staff member who was secretly recorded in a video that critics say suggests the U.S. reproductive health organization sells aborted fetal tissue. Despite Planned Parenthood's denials of the allegation, the video's release earlier this week has rapidly spurred investigations in the Republican-led U.S. Congress. (Stein, 7/16)
Planned Parenthood's president apologized Thursday for a top official's tone in a controversial video, but she also denied the clip's allegation that her organization profits from tissue donation. (Scott, 7/16)