CONCORD, New Hampshire, September 14, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is bypassing state authorities in New Hampshire to restore Planned Parenthood’s funding directly.
Earlier this summer the state’s Executive Council voted to redirect Planned Parenthood’s $1.8 million share of Medicaid funding to clinics that do not perform abortions. Immediately after, however, the Obama administration threatened to deprive all of New Hampshire’s Medicaid facilities of federal funding unless the Executive Council reversed its decision.
Kansas and Indiana have received similar threats this year.
Now the Obama administration says it has bypassed the Executive Council and awarded a $1 million contract to Planned Parenthood in the state.
Planned Parenthood said Tuesday that the Obama administration’s decision recognizes that it is “an essential and established part of the health care infrastructure in New Hampshire, serving almost 16,000 women, men and teens through health centers in Claremont, Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and West Lebanon.”
New Hampshire Councilor David Wheeler, one of the members of the Executive Council who voted against the Planned Parenthood contact, slammed the move, saying it highlights the “arrogance” of the Obama administration.
“Even though the state of New Hampshire turned down Planned Parenthood as a contractor, the Obama administration says you’re going to take it anyway, whether you like it or not,” Wheeler said.
U.S Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., concurred, saying, “New Hampshire’s Executive Council has spoken on this matter, and the (Obama) administration should respect the state’s right to make this decision.”
The pro-life Susan B. Anthony list also condemned the administration’s move in strong terms.
“President Obama has proven time and again that he will do whatever it takes to ensure that Planned Parenthood continues to receive taxpayer subsidies, even if that means going around a state’s elected representatives,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Obama is the most pro-abortion President in our country’s history and his allegiance to Planned Parenthood is unwavering.”
Last month, federal judges in Kansas and North Carolina forced authorities to continue funding Planned Parenthood with taxpayer monies.
A federal judge in June also forced Indiana to resume its Planned Parenthood funding after she deemed the Obama administration’s threat to cut all Medicaid funding over the change too dangerous for Indiana citizens.