Mid-MO Planned Parenthood responds to Koster’s investigation
Missouri’s Democratic attorney general says an investigation by his office found no evidence that Planned Parenthood in St. Louis is selling fetal tissue from abortions.
Chris Koster’s report released Monday said a review of more than 300 abortions performed in June found that all tissue had been properly incinerated.
Koster launched an investigation following state and national outrage, primarily by Republicans, about undercover videos released by anti-abortion activists. The videos show Planned Parenthood officials discussing the transfer of fetal tissue to researchers.
Republicans in the Missouri House and Senate also are leading reviews of abortion practices in the state in response to the videos.
Planned Parenthood responded to the investigation Monday, saying, “While we are not surprised that Attorney General Koster’s investigation has ended with a finding of no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood, we are pleased the Attorney General’s evidence can draw to a close any and all speculation about Planned Parenthood’s policies and practices.
We stand in support of our partner affiliate, Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (PPSLR/SWMO). As we said when this investigation was initially launched, the claims that Planned Parenthood profits in any way from tissue donation or illegal activity were simply not true, and today’s announcement by Attorney General Koster confirms that Planned Parenthood is in full compliance with the law.
We now strongly urge the Missouri Senate and House to immediately cease their political grandstanding and disband their interim committees. When Senator Schaefer formed the “Sanctity of Life Committee” in July, he said, “Missourians deserve to know the truth” about Planned Parenthood, and now they do.
PPKM is proud to support women and families making their own health care decisions and we are proud to provide them with the full range of high quality reproductive health services. We will always fight to ensure that these services are legal and available.”
Koster is expected to run for Missouri governor in 2016, when Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon will be barred from seeking re-election because of term limits.
