CNN reports that Planned Parenthood has opened a lawsuit against the Ohio attorney general following allegations of improper fetal disposal methods. Ohio’s Attorney General Mike DeWine made a statement on Friday that his office and the state health department have found Planned Parenthood guilty of disposing fetal parts in landfills.
Planned Parenthood is denying the allegations, calling them “bogus” and an attempt by state politicians to ban abortion. “Politicians will stop at nothing to ban abortion in all cases in our state,” said Stephanie Kight, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio. “Today, we’re asking a federal court to prevent the state from this plainly political attempt to restrict women’s access to safe and legal abortion.”
Planned Parenthood also upholds its use of legal state-regulated medical removal companies—Companies that deal with the organization’s medical waste for them. “Planned Parenthood handles medical tissue like any other quality health care provider,” said Kight. “Our agreements with vendors all require them to follow state law, and dispose of tissue accordingly.” DeWine’s office claims that the state’s Planned Parenthood outposts contract with Stericycle and Accu Medical Waste.
The Associated Press reports that DeWine would file an injunction to “restrict Planned Parenthood activities where violations of law have occurred.” However, it has not yet been determined if any laws were in fact broken by the Ohio clinics—Cincinnati.com reports that Ohio law simply states that “a fetus shall be disposed of in a humane manner.” CNN reports that both Stericycle and Accu Medical Waste have been unresponsive.