Louisiana Officials Try New Path to Block Planned Parenthood

Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration is trying a new approach to remove Planned Parenthood from Louisiana's Medicaid program, this time saying it has a reason to block the organization's clinics.

Jindal, an anti-abortion Republican running for president in 2016, had initially ended Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast's clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans without providing a reason. The administration said state law allowed cancellation with a 30-day notice.

But a federal judge questioned that reasoning last week, asking the health department why it was appropriate to oust the organization if its clinics were competent to provide health care services.