The state of Texas is suing Planned Parenthood for millions in Medicaid reimbursement for claims related to the abortion pill mifepristone. A hearing was set for Tuesday in front of United States District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk who put access to the over-the-counter abortion pill in limbo with a recent ruling.
Abortion has been banned in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, resulting in Planned Parenthood presenting arguments attempting to recoup at least $17 million in Medicaid payments for “health services,” after Republican-led laws restricted many clinic operations.
BREAKING: Texas Sues Planned Parenthood for Filing False Medicaid Claims, Abortion Biz Could Face $1 Billion Judgment https://t.co/MSES7C6BkM pic.twitter.com/9Dw3USIhCZ
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The lawsuit claims Planned Parenthood received health services before Texas removed the organization from the state’s Medicaid program in 2021. The state is seeking repayment for services billed during that time.
“This baseless case is an active effort to shut down Planned Parenthood health centers,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The state brought the lawsuit under the federal False Claims Act, which allows fines for every alleged improper payment. This verdict could result in Planned Parenthood needing to pay back an excess of up to $1 billion.
Jacob Elberg, a former federal prosecutor who specialized in health care fraud, expressed his skepticism about the strength of Texas’ argument. He emphasized the significance of the False Claims Act as a tool employed by the government to combat health-related fraud.
Elberg raised an eyebrow at the notion that Planned Parenthood, during its legal battle to maintain its program participation, would deliberately engage in the submission of false claims. He questioned the alignment of these actions with the intent of the False Claims Act, particularly given the ongoing reimbursement payments from Texas while the organization was contending its case in court.
Planned Parenthood operates approximately three dozen health clinics in the state of Texas. Following last year’s Supreme Court decision that granted Texas the authority to impose abortion restrictions, one of these clinics has ceased operations.
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