WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today released the following statement praising the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s decision to drop Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program:
“Today, my home state of Texas proved that states can make a real difference in the fight to block taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood,” Sen. Cruz said. “I’m proud of Texas for leading the way in affirming the sanctity of life, and I thank Gov. Abbott for his principled commitment to protecting the lives of unborn children. I encourage every state to follow Texas’ lead in stopping taxpayer funds from going to Planned Parenthood, and I will continue to lead the fight in the United States Senate to defund Planned Parenthood at the federal level.
“The horrifying videos released this summer revealed the grim reality of Planned Parenthood’s barbaric actions. For far too long, Planned Parenthood has hidden behind the guise that it provides women’s healthcare. The truth is: there are real alternatives to Planned Parenthood that offer high-quality, affordable women’s health care. For every one Planned Parenthood in Texas, there are 19 community health care providers. Today’s decision means that women will have access to healthcare that’s no longer burdened with the moral and ethical issues of Planned Parenthood, an organization under criminal investigation.”