Okla. Medicaid to end Planned Parenthood contracts

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY

Oklahoma is ending its contracts with two Planned Parenthood organizations that provide health services to thousands of mostly low-income women and families, the head of the state’s Medicaid agency said Wednesday.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority Chief Executive Officer Nico Gomez said the agency notified Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma and Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma in February of its intent to terminate provider agreements with the two affiliates.

“My decision in February was made based upon what I firmly believe to be the best interests of this agency going forward,” Gomez told The Associated Press in a statement.

The state contracts with the two affiliates will remain in place until June 29, which Gomez said should provide members obtaining services at Planned Parenthood clinics time to make any necessary alternative arrangements.

Planned Parenthood operates clinics in both the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas, providing services like cervical and breast cancer screenings, birth control, sexually transmitted infection treatment and testing, vaccinations and immunizations, and family practice services. The clinics do not provide abortions in Oklahoma.