Feds are correct to act in Indiana

I’m encouraged by the federal government’s decision to guarantee Indiana’s low-income women the right to choose their health-care provider.

Last month, an Indiana law eliminated funds from Planned Parenthood that provides care for more than 9,000 low-income women. Planned Parenthood was targeted because some of its clinics provide abortion services, despite the fact that federal law bans Medicaid funds from paying for them, per the Hyde Amendment.

This unjustified attack was also not in accordance with Medicaid rules. Medicaid rules are clear in that they do not allow a state to disqualify eligible health providers solely based on the scope of services they offer.

The majority of services that Planned Parenthood offers are education, pregnancy prevention and preventive health screenings. Rather than constantly targeting this clinic for abortion services, which makes up less than 3 percent of what they do, we should be thankful for the countless numbers of abortions they have effectively prevented. Aside from pregnancy services, Planned Parenthood offers vital, basic health-care services to low-income women and men that otherwise would have no access. With the relentless attack on family planning and women’s health this past year, I’m thankful that we have the federal government to protect women across the country.

Amanda Reykdal
Everett