Oklahoma Governor Signs Executive Order to Bar Planned Parenthood from Receiving State Medicaid

Oklahoma has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.

Doctors in Oklahoma are barred from killing unborn babies at any point of pregnancies, except in cases of rape, incest, or a medical emergency. The law allows private citizens to file civil lawsuits against abortion providers or individuals who assist with abortions.

The pro-life governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, took matters a step further and barred abortion facilities from receiving state Medicaid funding. From the press release:

The order follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which affirmed that states have the right to decide which providers can take part in their Medicaid programs, including the right to block providers connected to abortion.

“Oklahoma is a pro-life state, and our policies should reflect that at every level of our government,” said Governor Stitt. “We won’t allow tax dollars to indirectly subsidize and flow into the abortion industry under the guise of women’s health. My order makes sure every public dollar aligns with our values and supports providers who respect life at every stage.”

Governor Henry McMaster of South Carolina also blocked abortion facilities from receiving state Medicaid. The state successfully defended the blocked funding in court.

A Medicaid recipient wanted to use Planned Parenthood as a provider, despite the governor’s executive order. She and Planned Parenthood sued the state.

At issue was whether the Medicaid Act’s any-qualified-provider provision gives beneficiaries a private right to choose their provider.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the provision “does not clearly and unambiguously confer individual rights enforceable” under federal law.

Photo credit: American Life League (Creative Commons) – Some rights reserved

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