Statement by Robert Restuccia, Executive Director of Community Catalyst, regarding guidance issued today by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to state Medicaid agencies regarding choice of reproductive health providers under Medicaid.

(BOSTON) – “In light of recent state-level actions attempting to restrict access to critical family planning services offered by specific providers, Community Catalyst applauds the clarification issued today by CMS that underscores the essential requirements of the Medicaid program with respect to these services. In particular, today’s guidance makes clear that providers may not be targeted or excluded from the program because they offer a broad range of women’s health and reproductive health services, including abortion. According to the guidance, states’ failure to apply standards of participation in an evenhanded manner may suggest impermissible targeting of certain providers for reasons other than their ability to provide covered Medicaid services.

“Given the current charged political atmosphere surrounding reproductive health, including the Supreme Court cases related to abortion access and contraceptive coverage, this reiteration of Medicaid standards with respect to free choice of family planning providers is a welcome reminder to states. Most importantly, it will help low-income women maintain access to the broad range reproductive and other health services that they need.”

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @HealthPolicyHub.