Latest news with #PPFA
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Planned Parenthood offices begin rejecting Medicaid after Trump signs bill to defund healthcare organization
At least two regional Planned Parenthood affiliates have notices on their websites telling patients that, thanks to a provision in Republicans' new tax-and-spending bill that 'defunds' the reproductive healthcare giant, they can no longer accept Medicaid. However, this provision – which abortion rights supporters have called a 'backdoor abortion ban' – was recently blocked by a court order. Other Planned Parenthood affiliates are continuing to treat patients who use Medicaid to pay for treatment. Although the Planned Parenthood network is overseen by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, it includes dozens of independent affiliates that directly provide care to patients. As of Wednesday afternoon, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains had notices on their websites alerting patients that they can no longer accept Medicaid, the US government's insurance program for low-income people. 'With the passage of the reconciliation bill into law on July 4, 2025, Planned Parenthood health centers, including Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) centers, can no longer accept Medicaid coverage for care,' reads the statement on Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC's website, which lists a number of ways patients can still find funding for care. 'This 'defund' provision is a cruel, harmful, and inhumane law that will strip health care from thousands of people in the DC metropolitan region and millions across the country.' Neither Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC nor Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains immediately responded to a request for comment. 'There are no other providers who can fully meet the needs of millions of patients if the 'defunding' of Planned Parenthood is allowed to stand,' Danika Severino Wynn, vice-president of care and access at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement. 'Planned Parenthood health centers are committed to doing everything they can to still see patients – and will continue to do so – while complying with all laws amid the chaos, cruelty and confusion intentionally sown by the new law the Trump administration and its backers in Congress passed that seeks to shut down Planned Parenthood and ban abortion nationwide.' Some of these affiliates' notices were initially flagged by reporter Susan Rinkunas of Autonomy News, an outlet that covers issues related to bodily autonomy. On 4 July, Donald Trump signed into law a sprawling tax-and-spending bill that, in addition to directing trillions of dollars towards tax cuts and immigration enforcement, blocks Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving Medicaid funding for at least one year. This ban, which fulfills conservatives' long-running pledge to 'defund' Planned Parenthood, would force the organization to close roughly 200 health centers. Blue states, which are home to larger numbers of Medicaid beneficiaries, would probably take a disproportionate hit. Planned Parenthood sued over the 'defunding' provision on Monday, claiming that it violates the US constitution in multiple ways. A judge agreed to freeze the defunding provision for at least two weeks. A spokesperson for another affiliate, Planned Parenthood of Florida, confirmed that, after the judge's order, the group was again scheduling patients who rely on Medicaid. Related: Planned Parenthood sues Trump administration over funding cuts in big bill 'Over the weekend, we had to cancel appointments for patients that used Medicaid coverage to receive care at our health centers, which was an incredibly painful and stressful process for the patients and the staff,' said Michelle Quesada, vice-president of communications for Planned Parenthood of Florida. 'It's a rapidly changing situation.' Since it is illegal to use Medicaid to pay for the vast majority of abortions, Planned Parenthood clinics rely on the insurance program to reimburse them for providing services like birth control, STI tests and cancer screenings. About one in 10 female Medicaid beneficiaries between the ages of 15 and 49 go to Planned Parenthood for their family-planning services. 'We're facing a reality of the impact on shutting down almost half of abortion-providing health centers,' Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood Federation of Americas's CEO, told the Guardian last week. 'It does feel existential. Not just for Planned Parenthood, but for communities that are relying on access to this care.'
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Planned Parenthood offices begin rejecting Medicaid
At least two regional Planned Parenthood affiliates have notices on their websites telling patients that, thanks to a provision in Republicans' new tax-and-spending bill that 'defunds' the reproductive healthcare giant, they can no longer accept Medicaid. However, this provision – which abortion rights supporters have called a 'backdoor abortion ban' – was recently blocked by a court order. Other Planned Parenthood affiliates are continuing to treat patients who use Medicaid to pay for treatment. Although the Planned Parenthood network is overseen by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, it includes dozens of independent affiliates that directly provide care to patients. As of Wednesday afternoon, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains had notices on their websites alerting patients that they can no longer accept Medicaid, the US government's insurance program for low-income people. 'With the passage of the reconciliation bill into law on July 4, 2025, Planned Parenthood health centers, including Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC (PPMW) centers, can no longer accept Medicaid coverage for care,' reads the statement on Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC's website, which lists a number of ways patients can still find funding for care. 'This 'defund' provision is a cruel, harmful, and inhumane law that will strip health care from thousands of people in the DC metropolitan region and millions across the country.' Neither Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington DC nor Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains immediately responded to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation. Some of these affiliates' notices were initially flagged by reporter Susan Rinkunas of Autonomy News, an outlet that covers issues related to bodily autonomy. On 4 July, Donald Trump signed into law a sprawling tax-and-spending bill that, in addition to directing trillions of dollars towards tax cuts and immigration enforcement, blocks Planned Parenthood affiliates from receiving Medicaid funding for at least one year. This ban, which fulfills conservatives' long-running pledge to 'defund' Planned Parenthood, would force the organization to close roughly 200 health centers. Blue states, which are home to larger numbers of Medicaid beneficiaries, would likely take a disproportionate hit. Planned Parenthood sued over the 'defunding' provision on Monday, claiming that it violates the US constitution in multiple ways. A judge agreed to freeze the defunding provision for at least two weeks. A spokesperson for another affiliate, Planned Parenthood of Florida, confirmed that, after the judge's order, the group was again scheduling patients who rely on Medicaid. 'Over the weekend, we had to cancel appointments for patients that used Medicaid coverage to receive care at our health centers, which was an incredibly painful and stressful process for the patients and the staff,' said Michelle Quesada, vice-president of communications for Planned Parenthood of Florida. 'It's a rapidly changing situation.' Since it is illegal to use Medicaid to pay for the vast majority of abortions, Planned Parenthood clinics rely on the insurance program to reimburse them for providing services like birth control, STI tests and cancer screenings. About one in 10 female Medicaid beneficiaries between the ages of 15 and 49 go to Planned Parenthood for their family-planning services. 'We're facing a reality of the impact on shutting down almost half of abortion-providing health centers,' Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood Federation of Americas's CEO, told the Guardian last week. 'It does feel existential. Not just for Planned Parenthood, but for communities that are relying on access to this care.'
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Should you be worried about changes to political party funding?
Parliament has doubled the original donation disclosure threshold and annual limit. Ballot papers are seen as voters casts their votes at Welizibuko Primary School in Soweto on 29 May 2024. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen Analysts are not surprised by the decision to raise the donation disclosure threshold and annual limit in the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA). This follows the National Assembly's adoption of a report from the portfolio committee on Home Affairs. The report proposes doubling the current threshold for disclosing donations to political parties — from R100 000 to R200 000 — as well as raising the annual donation cap from R15 million to R30 million. Political Party Funding Act amended The proposed changes follow the signing of the Electoral Matters Amendment Act (EMAA) into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024. The EMAA revised the PPFA, removing the original disclosure threshold and donation limit altogether for declarations to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). This loophole was challenged by the non-profit organisation (NPO) My Vote Counts, leading to a Western Cape High Court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of the previous limits and required parliament to determine new figures. ALSO READ: 'It's a waste of people's time': Politicians argue about party donations The president is empowered to implement regulations related to these thresholds. However, this must be done through a resolution adopted by parliament. Now that parliament has acted, concerns have emerged about the implications for political transparency and accountability, especially around private funding in politics. Analysts weigh in on political party funding threshold hike Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast weighed in on the rationale behind doubling the threshold and donation limit, considering the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) previously concluded there was no basis for the initial figures of R100 000 and R15 million. The Nelson Mandela University senior lecturer noted that the PPFA was enacted in response to a court ruling compelling political parties to disclose their sources of funding. 'This is not their brainchild. They've been forced by circumstances to account on the principle of transparency. 'Many political parties argue that this legislation has really dealt them a blow in a big way because now they have to reveal their funders,' he told The Citizen on Monday. Breakfast also highlighted the financial pressure the legislation may have placed on some political parties, particularly the ANC, which has previously faced difficulties in paying staff salaries 'To me, that justifies why the numbers have gone up and why none of them is opposed to that.' READ MORE: Why South Africa's youth voters are staying away from the polls The PBO had recommended inflation-adjusted thresholds of R122 000 for disclosure and R21 million for the annual donation cap. In light of this, North-West University professor André Duvenhage described the decision to double these amounts as 'very arbitrary'. 'There's a huge need for getting more and more money and that is the main reason for the adjustments, but there can be no specific rationale for just doubling the R100 000 and R15 million. 'If they work with inflation, it will be quite a different figure. So I can read a lot of political motives. I can see the ANC specifically in trouble,' Duvenhage told The Citizen. Transparency and financial pressures Duvenhage suggested that both the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) might be under financial pressure due to the PPFA, but smaller parties are even more disadvantaged. The political analyst also noted that many parties are not fully transparent about their financial backing. He further expressed concern that the increased thresholds might open the door to greater private—and even foreign—influence in South African politics. READ MORE: 'Can you imagine our system being hacked': MPs sceptical of IEC's e-voting proposal 'I think this might be the political party environment a lot more vulnerable in that sense.' Breakfast echoed similar sentiments. 'Why do you want to engage in certain political operations in private, but you say that you are for the public? Why do you discuss money in private?' Has the Political Party Funding Act worked? When asked about the effectiveness of the PPFA since its implementation in 2021, Breakfast emphasised that the law has increased voter awareness about the sources of political party funding. He cited instances where parties like ActionSA and Rise Mzansi had received support from the Oppenheimer family, and stressed that the legislation empowers voters by enabling more informed decisions at the polls. 'Now we know what is the agenda because of this legislation,' Breakfast said, adding that voters can 'connect the dots' when evaluating party policies. Duvenhage stated that he believed there was 'a lot of room for misconduct' prior to the law's enactment. 'I think in comparison, the dispensation post-2021 was better than the one pre-2021.' Legal and constitutional dynamics A key question now is whether the president has the authority to reject or revise the amounts adopted by parliament. Breakfast referenced the doctrine of separation of powers in response. 'Nothing can be done without the buy-in from legislature. Secondly, there is no legislation that can be rolled out or can be implemented without the authorisation of the president.' He added that dissatisfied members of parliament could challenge such laws in court. 'That's how our democracy is arranged.' Duvenhage highlighted the uncertainties in how parliamentary rules are sometimes applied. 'I think it's a bit of a grey area, but if we work with the principle of separation of powers, that the president should obey the line that was identified through parliament, and he should implement that in terms of a general decision, he can't take his own decision.' NOW READ: More time for IEC commissioner nominations
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Crustacean crazy: 5 things to know about Vancouver's Spot Prawn Festival
When: May 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Fishermen's Wharf in False Creek, Vancouver Info: 'When it started, in 2006, spot prawns, and the festival, weren't very popular at all,' said Johnny Bridge, president of festival co-presenter Chefs' Table Society (CTS) of B.C. The tide turned in 2009, he says, when the event began selling out. 'Now everybody knows what spot prawns are, so much so that the Vancouver populace almost over-purchases, which has made them more expensive.' Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'The local bottom-feeding bug of the ocean,' as Bridge puts it, is the largest shrimp species in B.C. waters and can grow up to more than 20 cm. They are found primarily along the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Southern California, as well as in the Sea of Japan and Korea Strait. During the third year of their four-year life cycle, they transition from males to females, which makes them protandrous hermaphrodites. Octopuses love them. Stocks are carefully managed and fishing season limited to prevent overfishing. Ticketed experiences include Spot Prawn Bisque by Chefs' Table Society and Organic Ocean ($10 per serving + taxes) and a brunch experience (19+ years, $79 per person + taxes, two seatings, 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. or 1:30—3 p.m.). Brunch chefs include Adam Middleton of ARC Restaurant & Bar, Antonio Martin of Haven Kitchen + Bar, Johnny Jang of Lift Bar Grill View, and Robert Lee of Glowbal. Festival attendees can also buy fresh B.C. spot prawns directly from local fishers. Other B.C. chefs, including Ned Bell of Poplar Grove Winery, Jonah Joffe of Bar Bravo, Welbert Choi of , and Sean Murray of Pan Pacific Hotel, offer demos with tips and techniques for cooking with B.C. Spot Prawns. Co-presenters CTS and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association (PPFA) hold the festival not just to celebrate a source of tasty protein but also the work of the association. 'The fishery has been around since 1914, but since the formation of the PPFA it's been much more organized,' said Katie Lindsay, marketing director for PPFA. 'We've been able to structure the fishery to build new markets and ensure sustainability behind our stock assessments.' The fishery has also become more competitive in terms of the market, the price and demand, and also fishing areas. 'There's a lot more closed areas for sustainability, for rockfish conservation areas, and also coral reef protection. So that limits the amount of fishing areas.' Still, the industry is healthy, Lindsay says. 'There are challenges, like the ongoing threat to marine protected areas, climate change, and increased predation from sea otters. But in terms of actual fishing and sustainability, it's in a great place.' 'It's something that a lot of restaurants in Vancouver will feature,' notes Bridge. 'All the chefs that I know will make sure that they have their orders in by the beginning of May. The city seems to love it. Chefs like to cook it. It's a sustainable protein, which is rare these days.' Along with the festival in False Creek, Steveston hosts its annual spot prawn and seafood celebration with events until June 15, including Spot Prawn Day on June 7. is bringing back Park 'n Prawn, its drive-up live B.C. spot prawn pickup program. Restaurants going crustacean crazy include Fanny Bay Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market, B House, Loam Bistor, Riley's, Glowbal, Black and Blue, Italian Kitchen, Coast, and C|Prime. And for that slice of the Lower Mainland demographic that loves both seafood and wrestling, Boom! Pro Wrestling presents Spot Prawn Season May 31 on the 3rd floor of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 179 at 2205 Commercial Dr.
Calgary Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Crustacean crazy: 5 things to know about Vancouver's Spot Prawn Festival
Article content Article content Article content 1. Spot prawns are bigger than ever Article content 'When it started, in 2006, spot prawns, and the festival, weren't very popular at all,' said Johnny Bridge, president of festival co-presenter Chefs' Table Society (CTS) of B.C. The tide turned in 2009, he says, when the event began selling out. 'Now everybody knows what spot prawns are, so much so that the Vancouver populace almost over-purchases, which has made them more expensive.' Article content Article content 2. Spot prawn season only lasts four to six weeks Article content Article content 'The local bottom-feeding bug of the ocean,' as Bridge puts it, is the largest shrimp species in B.C. waters and can grow up to more than 20 cm. They are found primarily along the Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Southern California, as well as in the Sea of Japan and Korea Strait. During the third year of their four-year life cycle, they transition from males to females, which makes them protandrous hermaphrodites. Octopuses love them. Stocks are carefully managed and fishing season limited to prevent overfishing. Article content 3. The festival features some of the city's top chefs Article content Ticketed experiences include Spot Prawn Bisque by Chefs' Table Society and Organic Ocean ($10 per serving + taxes) and a brunch experience (19+ years, $79 per person + taxes, two seatings, 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. or 1:30—3 p.m.). Brunch chefs include Adam Middleton of ARC Restaurant & Bar, Antonio Martin of Haven Kitchen + Bar, Johnny Jang of Lift Bar Grill View, and Robert Lee of Glowbal. Festival attendees can also buy fresh B.C. spot prawns directly from local fishers. Other B.C. chefs, including Ned Bell of Poplar Grove Winery, Jonah Joffe of Bar Bravo, Welbert Choi of and Sean Murray of Pan Pacific Hotel, offer demos with tips and techniques for cooking with B.C. Spot Prawns. Article content Article content 4. It's not just about food but about sustainability Article content Article content Co-presenters CTS and the Pacific Prawn Fishermen's Association (PPFA) hold the festival not just to celebrate a source of tasty protein but also the work of the association. 'The fishery has been around since 1914, but since the formation of the PPFA it's been much more organized,' said Katie Lindsay, marketing director for PPFA. 'We've been able to structure the fishery to build new markets and ensure sustainability behind our stock assessments.' The fishery has also become more competitive in terms of the market, the price and demand, and also fishing areas. 'There's a lot more closed areas for sustainability, for rockfish conservation areas, and also coral reef protection. So that limits the amount of fishing areas.' Still, the industry is healthy, Lindsay says. 'There are challenges, like the ongoing threat to marine protected areas, climate change, and increased predation from sea otters. But in terms of actual fishing and sustainability, it's in a great place.'
