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- The three Mississippi Republicans were among the 128 signers of a letter urging the HHS Inspector General to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received.
Three Mississippi lawmakers are among more than 100 members of Congress seeking an investigation into the activities and federal funding streams of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and its affiliates.
U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R), 3rd District Congressman Michael Guest (R), and 4th District Congressman Mike Ezell (R) signed onto a letter to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week urging the agency to review the federal funds Planned Parenthood and its affiliates have received.
The 128 signers of the letter want the Inspector General to determine whether the funds were used in accordance with federal law.
“Concerns have long been raised regarding the organization’s compliance with applicable federal laws, regulations, and program requirements governing the receipt and use of federal funds,” the lawmakers wrote. “In particular, these concerns relate to whether Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. and the organization’s affiliates have adhered to applicable requirements governing program integrity, financial accountability, and the proper use of funds provided through HHS-administered programs.”
The request follows the launch of a Small Business Administration investigation into whether Planned Parenthood affiliates illegally received $88 million in loans during the COVID pandemic.
“This is in addition to numerous other reports of fraud, making false statements, violating federal criminal laws, and knowingly failing to disclose violations of criminal law,” the letter outlines. “For example, state laws require medical professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require facilities and practitioners to comply with mandatory state reporting laws, but there are reports that Planned Parenthood fails to comply.”
The lawmakers want the Inspector General to coordinate with relevant oversight bodies within the Department, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and also with the Office of Management and Budget to ensure a comprehensive review of the organization’s activities.
“Given the significant taxpayer resources that flow through federal health and human services programs, it is critical that recipient organizations operate with transparency, integrity, and full compliance with federal standards,” the lawmakers wrote.
The letter was led by Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford (R) and New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith (R).
Hyde-Smith serves as the chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus.
According to Planned Parenthood’s website, there are no locations of the organization in Mississippi.
You can read the full letter below.
Frank Corder
