DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad says he wants state agencies in Iowa to review its contracts with the local Planned Parenthood affiliate to ensure no funding is going to abortions.
Mr. Branstad said Monday the health care provider does not receive a state appropriation and no Medicaid dollars go to abortions in Iowa. Thus, most money going to Planned Parenthood is federal, he said.
Mr. Branstad’s spokesman Jimmy Centers says the governor will determine his next move after the review.
Suzanna de Baca, president of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, says her organization has helped reduce unintended pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections.
Mr. Branstad’s move comes after the release of undercover videos by a pro-life group showing Planned Parenthood officials describing how they collect and distribute fetal tissue from abortions for medical research.
Planned Parenthood is being investigated for possibly breaking laws associated with the ethical collection of fetal tissue and remuneration for handling and shipping it.
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