TALLAHASSEE, FL, August 20, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — Contrary to media reports and statements from Planned Parenthood the state of Florida isn't backing down after citing three abortion clinics for performing illegal second-trimester abortions, a lawyer for the state said Wednesday.
In a sternly-worded letter sent to Planned Parenthood's attorney on Wednesday, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) General Counsel Stuart Williams accused the abortion giant of lying about whether it does illegal second-term abortions, and said the state is continuing its investigation.
“Planned Parenthood…continues to misrepresent to the media that AHCA has changed its position, and Planned Parenthood clinics in Florida may now provide unauthorized second trimester abortions,” says the letter. “This is false.”
The letter comes after surprise investigations launched by the governor's office allegedly found three abortion clinics in violation of a state law that limits abortions to the first 14 weeks after a woman's last period. All of those clinics, plus a fourth, were also accused of not keeping proper logs and records.
According to Planned Parenthood's attorneys, however, their clinics lawfully conduct abortions up to the 12th week of pregnancy, or 14 weeks after the last period, because of a 2006 agreement with the state. They have accused the state of violating its own law — Florida Administrative Code Rule 59A-9.019.
Planned Parenthood had been forced to stop performing abortions at those facilities and sought an injunction against the state. It dropped the suit on Monday and on Wednesday appeared to claim victory, pointing to a letter from the state acknowledging that the agreement allowing abortions up to 14 weeks after the mother's last period was valid.
“While we will of course cooperate with legitimate investigations, the public does not want elected officials spending time and money looking into bogus claims that are just part of a political agenda,” said Barbara Zdravecky, head of Planned Parenthood's southwest and central Florida group.
Planned Parenthood said the three clinics would resume performing abortions.
However, the state's letter on Wednesday clarifies that Planned Parenthood’s claims of victory are not true, and ignore “self-reported” violations of the agreement.
“Planned Parenthood self-reported that they were performing unauthorized abortions during the second trimester at three of their Florida clinics,” it says. “Again, under Rule 59A-9.019, based on the information self-reported by Planned Parenthood abortions were illegally performed during the second trimester at the three clinics at issue, and our investigation will continue.”
“Please advise your client to govern itself accordingly.”