Kansas must continue funding Planned Parenthood with state and Medicaid funding after a Supreme Court ruling.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Dec. 10 announced it has refused to hear an appeal by the states of Kansas and Louisiana, forcing and ensuring continued state and federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood in Kansas.
In 2016 the State of Kansas had excluded Planned Parenthood − the nation’s largest abortion provider − from its state Medicaid program. In a surprising move, recently confirmed Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined Chief Justice John Roberts in siding with the liberal wing of the Supreme Court.
Jeff Andersen, Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had appealed to the Supreme Court a 2-1 decision by the Denver based United States Court of Appeals in the 10th Circuit.
In its decision, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a motion by the State of Louisiana that was joined by the State of Kansas in Andersen v. Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.
Justice Clarence Thomas, in his dissenting opinion wrote, “So what explains the Court’s refusal to do its job here? I suspect it has something to do with the fact that some respondents in these cases are named “Planned Parenthood.”
Thomas further stated, “It is true that these particular cases arose after several states alleged that Planned Parenthood affiliates had, among other things, engaged in the “illegal sale of fetal organs” and “fraudulent billing practices,” and had thus removed Planned Parenthood as a state Medicaid Provider.” Joining Thomas in his dissenting opinion were Justices Alito and Gorsuch.
Kansas Governor, Dr. Jeff Colyer expressed “regret” that the Supreme Court refused to take Kansas’ case against Planned Parenthood after the state had previously stopped state directed federal Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
“My support of the pro-life movement will not be diminished by today’s development, and I look forward to future victories in defense of the right to life,” Colyer said.