Senator Hawley Calls for Investigation into Planned Parenthood’s Use of Federal Funds

Congress’ restriction on using tax dollars to support Planned Parenthood is nearing its end. Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, seeks to investigate alleged misuse of taxpayer money by the organization for promoting transgender procedures.

Hawley, through a letter first reported by Fox News Digital, is advocating for a detailed examination of approximately $1.5 billion in Medicare and Medicaid funds. These funds, he claims, are supporting activities related to transgender treatments for minors.

Hawley’s Statement

Senator Hawley has warned that allowing taxpayer funds to be used in this way is unacceptable. He addressed this issue during a Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee session, highlighting concerns over inappropriate interactions involving AI chatbots and children, as well.

In his call to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, Hawley aims to include Planned Parenthood in the agency’s ongoing efforts to address fraud in federally funded healthcare programs.

“I urge you to direct your investigative efforts toward Planned Parenthood and its role in pushing transgender madness onto minor children,” Hawley stated.

The previous ban on federal funding to abortion providers, enacted under President Trump, is set to expire on July 4.

Attempts to Extend the Ban

Previously, Hawley and others sought to extend this ban, including an attempt to amend a budget reconciliation package this year. This amendment aimed to continue denying Medicaid funding to abortion providers until 2035 but was unsuccessful.

Hawley’s current focus is to investigate if the $1.5 billion was utilized for encouraging minors toward gender-affirming medication or surgical referrals. He has accused Planned Parenthood of exploiting legal gaps to provide such treatments to minors without parental consent.

Increase in Gender-Affirming Care

According to Hawley, Planned Parenthood advertises its provision of transgender medications and referrals for surgeries. There’s a reported increase of 40% year-over-year in this area of care.

A Government Accountability Office report, first published in November 2023, followed a stream of money from 2019 to 2022. However, it did not confirm the funds being used for transgender surgeries or medications.

“In other words, billions of taxpayer dollars have been taken from those in poverty and the elderly and given to Planned Parenthood,” Hawley asserted. “Moreover, these funds apparently have been used to prop up Planned Parenthood’s provision of transgender procedures to children.”