Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has announced the decision to cut off state funding to Planned Parenthood, following the release of videos from anti-abortion activists who claim this is proof the family planning clinic are illegally selling aborted fetal parts, reports Al Jazeera.
Pro-life group, the Center for Medical Progress have now released five videos, all allegedly showing a planned parenthood official discussing the procurement and sale of said body parts.
Bobby Jindal. Image Credit: Derek Bridges. (Flickr)
Shock reverberated throughout the US, with now 12 states, including Florida, Georgia, Texas, and South Carolina, calling for investigations into the organization.
In a statement on Monday, Governor Jindal said:
“Planned Parenthood does not represent the values of the people of Louisiana and shows a fundamental disrespect for human life […] It has become clear that this is not an organization that is worthy of receiving public assistance from the state.”
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards vehemently denies any wrongdoing, calling the videos a “smear campaign” by “militant antiabortion activists.” Reports have emerged that the nonprofit organization has hired a crisis PR firm to help handle the backlash.
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Speaking on ABC’s ‘This Week’ on Sunday, Richards said:
“These tapes have been edited and they’ve tried to entrap doctors to say things […] I stand behind the healthcare that we provide at Planned Parenthood. Women trust Planned Parenthood.”
Cecile Richards. Image Credit: David Shankbone (Flickr)
Planned Parenthood claim the only tissue they procure is for donation to research labs, for which they always get signed consent from the woman undertaking the abortion, and that the tissue is never sold for profit. They may receive funds from the labs; however these are supposedly for expenses incurred only.
As a registered 501(c)(4) nonprofit, it would be easy to assume that Planned Parenthood are required to be transparent regarding its business transactions, including the where the donation’s go, however this is not required by federal law and is therefore not featured on their tax forms.
Planned Parenthood is the umbrella for a number of affiliated organizations that work together, led by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Each affiliate is required to release an annual tax report called a Form 990, which states their five biggest contractors, but details of smaller operations are not required.
For the full Al Jazeera story see here.
For more on this topic, including past video’s head here and here.
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