Kansas cuts off Medicaid payments for Planned Parenthood

(AP) — Kansas is cutting off Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood's regional affiliate, a health department spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday, with the action based largely on allegations against the abortion provider's affiliates in other states.

The state Department of Health and Environment sent a letter Tuesday to Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, saying that the organization was being terminated as a provider under the state's Medicaid program as of next week, agency spokeswoman Cassie Sparks said.

Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri called the action "outrageous," but documents obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request show that KDHE first informed the affiliate that it planned to end its status as a Medicaid provider in March.

Kansas Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is a vocal abortion opponent, and the state already has blocked the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate from receiving about $370,000 a year in federal family planning dollars for non-abortion services.

The Overland Park clinic performs abortions, but the group has said Medicaid funds only cover services such as health exams, family planning services, and breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment.