Thought the recent racist donation trap was bad? Now anti-choicers have another headline that fits squarely with their talking points. The myth supported this time? That reproductive health providers are rolling in cash. Here's the L.A. Times headline:
Lawsuit alleges overbilling by Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood's Los Angeles affiliate was accused by a former employee of overbilling the state and federal governments for birth control pills. BUT:
State health officials now say, however, that they do not believe Planned Parenthood acted improperly because the organization was given contradictory guidance on billing from the state.In fact, after Planned Parenthood complained that a lower reimbursement rate could imperil its survival, the state passed a law in 2004 allowing it to continue billing as it had been all along.
The case sounds incredibly confusing, involving "arcane reimbursement rules of public health programs of the federal and state governments." I certainly don't understand the ins and outs of these policies, and I sincerely hope there isn't financial mismanagement going on at this Planned Parenthood affiliate. But at least it sounds like the state is square with them, which bodes well. Anyone else know anything about this?
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Brace yourself for more right-wing attacks on Planned Parenthood.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/7023
This is all fairly confusing, but I volunteer for PPLA and we just got a bill passed (last... fallish?) that raised the reimbursement rates which had not been adjusted for inflation since the 80's. Part of the issue was that Planned Parenthood of CA was turning away a ten thousand patients a month due to lack of funds. Whatever happened was certainly not an attempt to get rich (as it will, of course, be spun), and I'm sure if the state is OK with it, it can't be that bad.
Wow, planned parenthood is just all over my radar today--I just got an email from them regarding a bill in Connecticut (where I kind of live) seeking to enforce mandatory pre-abortion counseling for women under 17 (current law is under 15).
The Catholic Church is a big supporter of this law (actually an interesting position for them), but the best part is when they accuse Planned Parenthood of not wanting this law because it will cut into their profits...
(http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-06185656.apds.m0235.bc-ct-xgr--mar06,0,4815073.story?track=mostemailedlink)
They do such good work there, and they can just never catch a break...
I don't know anything about this, but after reading the reimbursement rules for private ambulances in CA some years ago I believe that the rules were confusing and outdated enough to put Planned Parenthood in a potentially bad position legally AND into the poorhouse. Glad it looks like it was straightened out.
McCain Begins Vice President Search
By Eric Allen Bell
San Antonio, Texas. (March 12) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Wednesday he has begun the process of finding a vice presidential running mate and wants someone who shares his rage and can take his place.
Speaking to reporters on a campaign plane, loaned to him by lobbyists for oil companies and war machines, the expected Republican nominee said he had seen news reports that famed serial killer Charles Manson, had expressed interest in the job, but he offered no comment one way or the other on whether Manson would be a candidate.
"Manson shares my views that human beings can and should be tortured and killed," McCain said of Manson’s interest in the No. 2 slot on the Republican ticket in November's election.
Manson told Fixed News Channel's "Hannity and Colmes" on Tuesday that "any Serial Killer in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee for John McCain, myself included." He went on to say that, “The over 1 million innocent people killed since the Iraqi invasion makes George Bush the ultimate serial killer, especially given that half of those murdered were innocent children. I feel that McCain has what it takes to carry on that legacy and even outdo Bush with the upcoming invasion of Iran. This is history in the making.� Said Manson, “And I’d like to be a part of it.�
Charles Manson endorsed McCain in February after the Arizona senator defeated Gulianni in an often caustic campaign battle. McCain will face either Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York or Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in November. Clinton, herself an aspiring serial killer who supported the Iraq invasion, has the blood of a half million innocent dead Iraqi children on her hands and seems to feel no remorse. Said Manson, “She is gifted with the ability to harm others and feel no pain but rather seek the spotlight to increase her base of power. I feel that, given the opportunity, she will kill again�.
When asked about Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, Manson went on to say, “He is not ready to mass murder on day one. He lacks the experience of taking human lives for pleasure or for personal gain. I don’t know how anyone can take him seriously.�
At a town-hall meeting in San Antonio, Texas, McCain went out of his way to praise Manson as well as more notable and effective mass murderers such as the late Edi Amin, China’s Chairman Mao Tse-Tung and of course the great Adolf Hitler.
"My friends, I fought in Viet Nam. I was a trained killer" Said the Arizona Senator, “I don’t remember what we were fighting for, but I loved to kill and, given the opportunity to serve this country as Commander and Chief, I can promise you a blood bath in the Middle East. America will never be looked at the same way ever again once I leave office.� he said.
Talking to reporters on his campaign bus, the Double Talk Express, the 71-year-old McCain made clear he has not put together a list of candidates yet but has some ideas in mind. He said he could not say whether Charles Manson was "on or off the list." There have been some unconfirmed rumors on the Beltway that McCain was also in talks with other serial killers and military commanders at Guantanamo Bay for the number two slot.
NO DECISION EXPECTED SOON
Offering some details on what type of person he was considering, McCain said he did not believe having a "personal bond" with the running mate was all that critical as long as they shared the same views and philosophy.
He also said he did not think the vice presidential candidate needed to be from a certain region, “So long as he is male, not a homosexual, a devout Christian and white.�
No decision was expected anytime soon. Presidential nominees often wait until just before their party's nominating convention in late summer to announce their running mate.
McCain said he and advisers have begun discussing "what was the process that was used in other campaigns, what process should we go through." He added, “I just can’t wait to get my finger on the button of this nation’s Nuclear arsenal. That’s just some straight talk, my friends. Power makes me feel high and I want to destroy things, entire villages, men women and children. I don’t care about oil. I keep saying this war is not about oil. This is about showing my father that I am number one and showing the world that America is number one.�
He said his prime criteria is someone "who can take your place, shares your principles, your values and your vision and your priorities." He added that “Given the principals of the Neoconservative movement, I believe that Charles Manson would be on anyone’s short list.�
McCain talked about his vice presidential search as he came to San Antonio, Texas to hold a town-hall meeting at the Church of Pastor John Hagee, where he thanked the Right Wing bigot for endorsing his candidacy. “Pastor Hagee hates human beings and I share his values. If I am elected into office, I will appoint Hagee to head up a task force on how to promote American values here at home.�
When asked if the Senator would consider Ann Coulter for the Vice Presidential nominee he remarked, “Now that would be going too far.�
www.WeCanStopMcCain.org