WH Vows to Block Indiana Planned Parenthood Law

State law cutting Medicaid funds is illegal, White House decides

(NEWSER) - The White House has— as promised —moved to block an Indiana law that strips Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds . State officials have been notified that the law, which cuts off funding to Planned Parenthood because some clinics perform abortion services, violates Medicaid rules because states aren't allowed to choose where recipients receive health care services, reports the New York Times . More»

Will seek restraining order to halt defunding

(NEWSER) - Mitch Daniels signed a bill yesterday to defund Planned Parenthood in Indiana effective immediately, but the organization says it will try to prevent the move by seeking a temporary restraining order and injunction with the help of the ACLU. The bill cuts off government funding to any entity that offers abortions, but since hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers are exempted, it affects only Planned Parenthood, USA Today reports. Daniels says the organization "can resume receiving taxpayer dollars immediately by ceasing or separating its operations that perform abortions." More»

White House proposal aims to unite Dems ahead of summit

(NEWSER) - The White House is crafting its own health care bill aimed at uniting House and Senate Democrats ahead of a bipartisan summit next week. The president hopes to avoid a Republican filibuster by attaching it to a budget bill, using the procedure called budget reconciliation. However, congressional Democrats have yet to see the bill—and it may be a tough sell. “There has not been a collaborative process,” a Dem tells the New York Times . "This is very much a White House proposal.” More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama today overturned the “gag rule” prohibiting the US from funding groups that provide abortions or abortion counseling overseas, Reuters reports. The policy has been enforced and rescinded depending on the Oval Office occupant since it was instituted under President Reagan. Unlike yesterday's high-profile signing ceremony, today's executive order was signed without the media present. More»

Weapons, anti-abortion regulations halted

(NEWSER) - One of President Barack Obama's first acts from the Oval Office was to block the last orders of his predecessor executed in his final days of power, Reuters reports. The White House sent a memo to every federal agency yesterday putting a stop to dozens of so-called "midnight regulations" enacted by George Bush, pending review of the regulations by the incoming administration. More»