A memo circulated throughout Congress Wednesday states that since the majority of Planned Parenthood’s federal funding comes through Medicaid, the organization would still receive money from the government in the event of a government shutdown in 2016.
Via @Frank thorpNBC CRS tells Congress Planned Parenthood still funded during shutdown pic.twitter.com/i68erahRw8
— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) September 2, 2015
The major source of federal funding provided to PPFA in the past (Medicaid) would likely be available to PPFA during a short-term government shutdown at the start of FY2016. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program which provides health coverage for certain low-income individuals. Under Medicaid, health care expenses of eligible individuals are covered pursuant to a federally approved state plan, and the state is subsequently reimbursed by the federal government of a portion of these expenses. Medicaid an annually appropriated entitlement (i.e. mandatory funding to Medicaid is provided through the annual appropriations process, rather than directly appropriated in authorizing law).