Gov. Bobby Jindal's investigation into Planned Parenthood will put brakes on new $4 million facility

Brett T. | 5:02 PM on July 14, 2015

Just last month, Planned Parenthood was celebrating two victories. First, the Supreme Court decided to block new legislation in Texas that requires abortion clinics to meet the same basic standards required of ambulatory surgical centers. Second, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals cleared the way for Planned Parenthood to apply for a license to construct a new, $4 million “health center” in New Orleans.

Victory! New @PPFA health care center in NOLA is closer to providing safe, legal abortions → http://t.co/HcLxDCYMsj. pic.twitter.com/u7TE8HsZtM

— Planned Parenthood Action (@PPact) June 22, 2015

The New Orleans Advocate reported in June:

In a letter dated Friday, the Department of Health and Hospitals rescinded an earlier requirement that an outpatient abortion facility, such as the one being built by Planned Parenthood on South Claiborne Avenue, provide a “facility need review” demonstrating that its services are needed to preserve women’s ability to obtain an abortion before it can apply for a license to perform abortions in the state.

Such a review had been required under department regulations enacted in 2012.

DHH did not explain why the regulation was being rescinded. [emphasis ours]

It might have been just a bit early to declare victory in Louisiana. After a video emerged this morning apparently showing Planned Parenthood’s national medical director bragging about trafficking in aborted baby parts, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered an investigation into Planned Parenthood because of the organization’s plans to open that 7,000-square-foot facility in the state.