Planned Parenthood Wrong in Denials of Financial Improprieties, Notes Americans United for Life

"Cecile Richards should give an accounting of the millions in taxpayer dollars given to the abortion mega-provider," said AUL's Dr. Charmaine Yoest.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans United for Life President and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest noted that Planned Parenthood's response to news of a Congressional investigation into its institutional practices and policies and to require an accounting of the more than $360 million it receives in taxpayer funding each year "once again ignored the heart of the issue, which are allegations of the mishandling of the taxpayer trust and taxpayer dollars."

Noting that Planned Parenthood's Cecile Richards first response was to claim that this effort was pure politics and that no improprieties had taken place, Dr. Yoest responded: "Prove it. Open the Records. Cecile Richards needs to account for the conduct of the abortion mega-provider. Substantial evidence exists that Planned Parenthood is an abuse-laden organization requiring Congressional oversight."

Earlier this year, AUL released the groundbreaking study "The Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood" that laid out the financial and legal scandals that have rocked the abortion mega-provider, documenting -- with Planned Parenthood's own records -- troubling issues. And Congress took note.

Dr. Yoest commended Representative Cliff Stearns and the Energy and Commerce Committee for its willingness to delve deeply into the records of the abortion mega-provider.

"Ensuring compliance with the law is not a partisan issue, and the Committee's decision to investigate an organization that has been rocked by systemic fraud and abuse shows that Congress takes its responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars seriously," she said.

In opposing the investigation, Richards also said that the investigation was really aimed at "undermining access to care."

In fact, every question in the Committee's letter focuses on ensuring that Planned Parenthood is properly using federal dollars and is complying with legal requirements that ensure the health and safety of minor girls and women seeking care, Dr. Yoest observed.

For example: Audits of Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, New Jersey, New York, and Washington State demonstrate a pattern of overbilling and abuse involving Medicaid funds, and in at least Washington even charging drugs used in an abortion as "family planning."  Furthermore, State audit reports and admissions by former Planned Parenthood employees detail a pattern of misuse of federal funds by some Planned Parenthood affiliates.  

"As the tax dollars going to Planned Parenthood doubled, so did the number of abortions it performed,"  said Dr. Yoest. "It's time for a public accounting for the funds."

For more information from AUL's Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood, click here.

SOURCE Americans United for Life