Sen. Hawley’s Request for Investigation into Family Planning Programs
Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri recently reached out to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), asking for an investigation into what he describes as the troubling role of family planning systems, particularly concerning transgender issues affecting minors.
His letter follows the passage of a bill intended to defund family planning programs, a move that coincided with the impending expiration of certain provisions. Hawley suggested that CMS could utilize its authority to restrict taxpayer funding from going to organizations that facilitate gender reassignment for children.
In his correspondence, Hawley expressed gratitude for the ongoing investigations into fraud within health care programs, urging focus on Planned Parenthood, which he claims plays a significant part in what he terms “transgender insanity” directed at young people.
He pointed out that the Medicaid and Medicare programs are meant to support low-income and elderly individuals in accessing basic health care. However, he argued that family planning entities, particularly Planned Parenthood, have substantially benefited from these programs, receiving over $1.5 billion in payments from Medicaid and Medicare within a three-year timeframe. This, he contended, amounts to significant taxpayer funds being redirected from vulnerable populations.
Hawley also raised concerns about the apparent use of federal resources to aid family planning in administering transgender procedures to minors. He noted that the organization promotes the availability of sex reassignment drugs and referrals for surgeries. According to him, the provision of “gender-affirming care” has surged, with a 40% annual increase, and there are reports indicating that these services are being extended to minors. An undercover investigation purportedly uncovered instances where family planning clinics prescribed hormones to minors without proper medical documentation during initial consultations.
He further highlighted the exploitation of legal loopholes that allow these clinics to provide potentially harmful sex change drugs to minors without the need for parental consent, calling this practice unconscionable. His concerns extend to the allocation of essential medical funding to organizations advocating for transgender treatments for minors.
Hawley concluded his letter by warning against allowing Congress to reinstate Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, arguing that failing to act would present a significant error. He emphasized the opportunity for fraud investigations into Planned Parenthood’s compliance with laws, suggesting that their activities related to transgender matters might contradict legislative intentions regarding Medicaid and Medicare expenditures. He urged immediate action to prevent what he perceives as fraudulent practices within national health care programs.
He ended with thanks for considering this matter of urgent importance.
