Lynn v. Sekulow

Why Push Planned Parenthood?

Friday November 6, 2009

Categories: Courts, Planned Parenthood

I knew you were a staunch supporter of Planned Parenthood, but there's one comment in your response that really has stunned me.  And, that's not easy to do.  I can't believe that you really believe that it is "morally outrageous that one of the most well-respected sources of information on sexuality and pregnancy prevention is given so little government funding..."   Barry, "so little" government funding?  Planned Parenthood receives hundreds of millions of dollars in federal taxpayer money each year - some $350-million last year alone.  You believe they need more taxpayer money?  How much more would you like to give them?  And, the only thing that's "morally outrageous" is the fact that the federal government continues to fund the nation's largest abortion provider with our tax dollars, year after year.

 

Not only are Americans fed up with subsidizing Planned Parenthood at the federal level, there's growing concern at the local level as more communities take action to keep their state and local taxes from going to subsidize Planned Parenthood.

The Ohio example is just one of many.  In recent months, local communities across the country have said no to Planned Parenthood funding including Orange County, CaliforniaIn Tennessee, lawmakers voted to redirect more than one million dollars that would have gone to PP to local health organizations.  And, now there are new reports from Texas where a former Planned Parenthood employee says a clinic was pushing employees to strive for abortion quotas to boost profits.  The former employee, who quit after viewing an ultrasound-guided abortion, told a reporter that "abortion is the most lucrative part of Planned Parenthood's operations."

 

As we continue to pursue this very troubling multi-million dollar fraud case against Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, we'll be watching a Supreme Court case very closely that could very well have a direct bearing on our fraud case.

 

On November 30th, the Justices will hear arguments in Graham County Soil & Water Conservation District v. U.S. ex. rel. Wilson, a very different case - but a case that raises similar issues addressed in our fraud case - issues involving the False Claims Act.  We've just filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in this case.

 

As I reported in my earlier postthe case we're involved in is on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In that case, Gonzalez v. Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles (PPLA), we represent Victor Gonzalez, an ex-employee of the PPLA affiliate. He accuses the PP state affiliates of over billing to the tune of some $100 million. A federal district court threw the case out, however, on the basis of two supposed "public disclosures" of the information underlying the fraud claim. Both alleged disclosures came from state government proceedings. On appeal, we're arguing that the state government disclosures should not bar Gonzalez's suit.

 

The Graham County case, now before the Supreme Court, addresses the question to what extent, if any, state and local government disclosures can bar False Claims Act lawsuits. As you know, since Supreme Court decisions bind lower courts as well, a victory for the claimant in the Graham County case could translate directly into a victory for us in the California fraud case.

 

The Graham County case is important to the ability of citizens to blow the whistle on state and local government fraud. We're urging the Supreme Court to read the False Claims Act in a way that is consistent with its text, structure, legislative history, and purpose of encouraging private citizens to root out frauds against the federal taxpayer. 

 

That's exactly the kind of citizen involvement that took place in our fraud case when Gonzalez blew the whistle on Planned Parenthood. 

 

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Comments
J
November 10, 2009 6:04 PM

Well done Jay Sekulow. I was one of many who voiced concern and disapproval over funding for Planned Parenthood with local tax money in Orange County, CA. I'm very proud of the leadership that recognized the inappropriate redirecting of funds, spoke up about it, heard public opinion, and responded.

Your Name
November 11, 2009 5:16 PM
http://C

Well from your earlier blogs J, it looked like you were sticking up for pro-choice activist. So wouldn't that be supporting Planned Parenthood and their procedures? That was my conscern as well as your belittleing of me as if your some how better. Please humble yourself next time around instead of abuse!!!!
C

Your Name
November 14, 2009 1:55 PM

I heard you talk about Medicare, this morning. Which I find to be helpful to the elderly to supply medical needs. What about Embryonic Stem-Cell? Are you trying to tell the rest of the public that those are not people? And as for the abortion issue, are you trying to tell the rest of the public that funding Planned Parenhood with all that money does not contribute to the needless deaths of thousands of children each year through that establishment? Are you trying to say that this administration is not responsible for those acts of murdering children because you gave the right through your parties established laws and views that you are somehow exempt from any responsibility in the matter? Including the murder itself? Are you trying to tell the American public that those children murdered through abortion are not our posterity? Do your husband and yourself feel that those individuals which can not protect themselves because they are very small and in the process of development are not equal to yourself? Cara Lea Floyd

Your Name
November 14, 2009 1:58 PM

The last blog was addressed to the current administration.

Your Name
November 16, 2009 2:21 PM

That is no surprise that you did not answer those questions. The answer to the question or questions is, that people are people, no matter how you slice and dice them up into little pieces. Sell them black market and they are still people chopped up into tiny little pieces. The surprise to me is this, that leadership is trying to pass this off as being not only legal, but a good idea. How did people get so far away from the truth of the matter. Where did they get an idea that it is ok and a good idea to kill people for whatever reason. I am certainly not talking about defending yourself in a war situation. When countries attack you and you need to weed out the killers, so they don't kill you. I am flat out talking about, killing people for science or self. A flat out self motivating self centered idea brought about by a court case as a reproductive right. What a lie that one is. Somehow giving people the impression that it is reproductive. Not only is it not reproductive it is murdering an individual through the law of choice. There are laws in place to protect children outside of the womb. How about inside or in the lab of a mad scientist.

Cara Lea Floyd

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About Lynn v. Sekulow

Lynn v. Sekulow is an ongoing debate blog--a blogalogue--about how big (or little) a role faith and religion should play in American politics and government, featuring the two leading voices of the church/state battle: American Center for Law & Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Rev. Barry W. Lynn.

Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.

About the Authors

Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit educational organization that defends religious liberty by opposing government interference in religion
» Posts by Rev. Barry W. Lynn
Jay Sekulow
Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization focused on protecting religious freedom, American families, and human life.
» Posts by Jay Sekulow
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