Planned Parenthood's Medicaid Fraud Problem

While Planned Parenthood apologists constantly try to present the abortion business as a benefit to the community, PP is under investigation in several areas for Medicaid fraud.  Two years ago Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast director Peter Durkin retired under interesting circumstances, and the El Paso facilities were forced to close back in 2009- also due to...Medicaid fraud.  Now Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast has agreed to pay $1.4 million in the hopes that the latest investigation will go quietly away before abortion champion Wendy Davis launches a bid for governor.  

Good luck with that.

Here's the content of a release from the Texas Alliance for Life:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 25, 2013
AUSTIN, TX -- Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast agreed Wednesday to pay $1.4 million for fraudulently overbilling the taxpayer-funded Medicaid program. The Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a statement explaining that an investigation revealed Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast billed the Texas Medicaid program for services and products that were not medically necessary, never actually rendered, and not covered by the Medicaid program. Investigators also revealed that Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast falsified information on patient records in order to obtain fraudulent reimbursements from the Medicaid program.

This case is believed to have been introduced in federal court by a former Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast employee Karen Reynolds in 2011. According to her complaint Reynolds learned that her employer knowingly engaged in continued violations of federal and state law by implementing policies designed to fraudulently maximize reimbursements from government health care programs such as the Texas Medicaid program.

Another case pending against Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast was first filed by plaintiff Abby Johnson in December, 2011. Johnson managed the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast abortion facility in Bryan, Texas. According to Johnson's complaint, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast filed 87,075 or more false, fraudulent and/or ineligible claims from January 1, 2007, to at least October 6, 2009. According to these allegations, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast could be liable for treble damages close to $600 million.

Johnson publicly referred to the $1.4 million settlement as "simply a slap on the wrist." When asked if she intended to settle Johnson stated, "I have absolutely no intention of settling with my former affiliate. I don't want to settle. I want them to be held accountable."

Texas Medicaid rules permit the Office of Inspector General to exclude entities engaging in Medicaid fraud from being providers. It is not known whether this will be pursued in the case of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast.

CSCOPE is Dead, Long Live CSCOPE?

Back in May, the Texas Legislature passed SB 1406, which mandates that CSCOPE lesson plans be subject to the same review process as other public school curricula.  One of the controversies surrounding the program has been confusion over who has jurisdiction and oversight over CSCOPE content (as well as who is profiting from CSCOPE sales.)  Critics had hoped that SB1406 would allow scrutiny of the program before it could be used in Texas classrooms.  

Now however, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has sent a letter to SBOE Chair Barbara Cargill noting that many districts are still planning to use CSCOPE as is.  Dewhurst is asking the SBOE to conduct hearings on CSCOPE, but also to help districts find other options and/or provide transparency for parents and local voters.  (Dewhurst's letter may be read here.)

I am sure it is frustrating for school districts who've already spent many taxpayer dollars to obtain CSCOPE to have to scramble to come up with new options.  Sadly, these districts are now saddled with a curriculum system that Texas taxpayers and parents want out of their schools, while the creators of the program are laughing all the way to the bank.  The state audit of CSCOPE finances requested by Dewhurst and State Senator Dan Patrick can't come soon enough.

The CSCOPE fiasco is just another example of how the education bureaucracy attempts to circumvent the democratic process- a growing problem for voters and parents.  If we are going to continue to support the public school monopoly over education, we must insist on transparency and accountability at every step of the way.  

Male Chauvinist Worries that Abortion Bill will Hamper His Casual Sex Life

Sometimes, even though you know some people are THIS shallow, it's still shocking when they put it in print. Apparently, one Ben Sherman is worried that proposed Texas abortion legislation will hamper his ability to get casual sex. He writes this at the Burnt Orange (Liberal) Report:

Your sex life is at stake. Can you think of anything that kills the vibe faster than a woman fearing a back-alley abortion? Making abortion essentially inaccessible in Texas will add an anxiety to sex that will drastically undercut its joys. And don't be surprised if casual sex outside of relationships becomes far more difficult to come by.

Well, if killing a few babies allows Ben to "hook up" more often, by all means, right?

Rally For Life in Austin Tonight

In response to the pro-abortion lobby's attempt to thwart the will of Texas voters, my friends have organized a rally for life in Austin tonight.  The notice is below; hope you can make it! 

 

Come to Austin to Stand for Life 

SPEAK UP FOR LIFE RALLY 

With Gov. Mike Huckabee

Monday, July 8 – 7 p.m. - Capitol Grounds – Austin 

Let’s make this the biggest rally ever!

Bring your friends and family 

Speakers: 

Governor Mike Huckabee 

Peggy Nance - Concerned Women for America

Marilyn Musgrave - Susan B. Anthony List and former congresswoman

Dr. Robert Jeffress - Pastor First Baptist Church, Dallas

Others invited, including Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst 

Rally Sponsors (at this time): 

Concerned Women for America

Texans Coalition for Life

Texas Eagle Forum

Texas Right to Life

Texas Values

The Heidi Group

Wear blue. Bring water and snacks.

Texas Abortion Bill Update

Update:  I just received notice from Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's office that the Senate version will be hear in the Senate Health & Human Service Committee on Monday, June 8 at 10am in the Senate Finance Room - E1.036. 

On a party line vote, the House version of the abortion bill (HB2) passed out of committee last night/this morning.  The bill introduces new health and safety standards for abortion clinics and doctors, and bans most abortions after 20 weeks.  Although the media has focused on the pro-abortion side, supporters of the bill were out in force and Becca Aaronson of the Texas Tribune reports that of the 3,543 witnesses registered, 2,181 were FOR HB2, while 1,355 were against.  In case you missed it, even prominent Democrat Kirsten Powers has come down against Wendy Davis and the pro-abortion lobby on this one. 

Sadly, many of the pro-abortion side were very hostile-some of my friends were spit on and had cigarette ashes tossed on them.  In addition to the profanity, some pro-aborts were chanting "Hail Satan."  Not everyone was uncivil however, and some of our pro-lifers were able to have calm, reasonable conversations with the other side.  Praying folks should keep praying for hearts and minds to change.

Reports indicate that HB2 will come to the House Floor early next week, possibly July 9.

Will keep ya' posted. 

Abortion Bill Hearing Today

House State Affairs Committee, 3:30 PM, July 2, 2013, in E2.030. 
Click here for live broadcast.

 In case you aren't up to speed on this, abortion legislation is one of three issues that will be tackled in the second Special Session.  House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 1 would ban most abortions after 20 weeks gestation, require abortion facilities to adhere to the same medical standards as ambulatory surgical centers, and insure that RU-486 prescriptions comply with FDA guidelines.  These measures passed during the 1st Special Session, but the final vote in the Senate came 3 minutes too late due to the noise from the mob in the gallery. 

Although most Americans and a majority of Texans support these measures, the abortion industry has been sending in activists from outside the State and even hiring protesters on Craigslist to attempt to disrupt the proceedings.  Real Texans are encouraged to attend the various hearings wearing blue, to call their respective state legislators, and participate in online activism using the hashtag #stand4life. 

Despite the howling from the abortion industry, Texans should note that 12 other states have already passed a 20 week ban.  Furthermore, most European nations ban abortions after 12 weeks.  So this isn't exactly draconian.  What might be draconian is dismembering a viable human being who happens to be inconvenient. 

Baby born alive at 21 weeks.

 

If you can't be at the hearing, please take a moment to contact your representative (click here,) and pray for the safety of all those involved. 

Will post information on other hearings soon.