The A-Word
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels today said he would sign legislation that bans state dollars from going to most medical providers and health clinics that provide abortion services. This has the right-to-life folks cheering and the abortion rights supporters screaming. It also has everyone under this building speculating whether this means the Governor is more or less likely to run for President. However if people would just take a step back and think three-dimensionally for just a second at the end of the day nothing has really changed in Indiana. Here’s why.
First, Planned Parenthood can still provide abortions. The agency says abortions are not paid for with state or federal dollars. Secondly, the Governor made it clear in his news release that no person receiving Medicaid would be denied reproductive health services.
I commissioned a careful review of access to services across the state and can confirm that all non-abortion services, whether family planning or basic women’s health, will remain readily available in every one of our 92 counties. In addition, I have ordered the Family and Social Services Administration to see that Medicaid recipients receive prompt notice of nearby care options. We will take any actions necessary to ensure that vital medical care is, if anything, more widely available than before.
However, what was more important was this line from the Governor’s news release…
Any organization affected by this provision can resume receiving taxpayer dollars immediately by ceasing or separating its operations that perform abortions.”
That tells me that Governor’s Office has found away to split the difference on this controversial issue. All Planned Parenthood has to do is break off the portion of its operations that performs abortions and create a separate legal entity. And since abortion services are already pay for themselves and no state or federal money goes there, the new agency can continue as business as usual while Planned Parenthood’s $2-$3 million in state funding is restored.
Am I the only who sees this or am I missing something here.
