LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KARK 4 News ) — A Planned Parenthood lawsuit was filed against the Arkansas Department of Human Services on Friday, according to court records.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
This legal action comes after Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered DHS to terminate its contract with Planned Parenthood in August. His order came after multiple undercover abortion videos were released by activists, causing backlash against Planned Parenthood.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, states that three unnamed women (listed as “Jane Doe” in the lawsuit) have the right to “seek family planning and other preventive health services from a participating provider of their choice and have those services covered by Medicaid.” The lawsuit also states that those unnamed individuals prefer Planned Parenthood to other medical providers.
DHS’ decision to terminate its contract with Planned Parenthood violates the “Medicaid Freedom of Choice Provision,” the lawsuit states. It also alleges that the first and fourteenth amendment rights of the three unnamed individuals listed in the legal suit were violated by the decision.
“Planned Parenthood of the Heartland unless enjoined, the termination of PPH’s Medicaid provider agreements will take effect on September 13, 2015, disqualifying PPH from providing basic and preventive health care services to the women, men and teens who depend on that care,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit seeks to have DHS enjoined from excluding Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider.
To read the full lawsuit, click here.
This article was originally published at arkansasmatters.com.
