Planned Parenthood files injunction for WIC services
BY SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
11/13/12 at 4:55 PM
Planned Parenthood is seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court to allow it to continue offering WIC services at its Tulsa area clinics.
In September, the Oklahoma State Department of Health opted not to renew its WIC contract with Planned Parenthood, a decision the organization’s CEO said was politically motivated.
The health department denied politics was playing any role and pointed to Planned Parenthood's WIC clinics having relatively high cost per participant, decreasing caseloads and faulty billing practices.
The Women, Infant and Children program provides nutrition aide to low-income women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and to children younger than age 5.
Planned Parenthood said although caseloads had been decreasing, they were actually increasing at the time the contract was terminated. The relatively high cost per participant can likely be attributed to Planned Parenthood WIC clinics staying open later hours and on some weekends.
The organization also noted that no problems were found in its most recent audit.
“Planned Parenthood is seeking an injunction to protect access to a critically important nutrition program for women, infants and children,” staff attorney Tamya Cox said in a statement. “Planned Parenthood has been a trusted WIC provider for nearly two decades — but this case isn’t about us, it’s about the Oklahoma women and families who count on us. Politics should never interfere with a woman’s access to health services — or food for her children.”
Read more in Wednesday's Tulsa World.
