Request for Abortion Records Challenged
State prosecutors from Indiana and Kansas are facing legal challenges from Planned Parenthood over the release of medical records that they say are necessary for criminal investigations.
On Wednesday, Planned Parenthood denounced requests by Attorney General Steve Carter of Indiana and Attorney General Phill Kline of Kansas for patient medical records, arguing that the release of the records violate patients’ privacy and are meant to attack abortion clinics and related health care facilities.
Kansas Attorney General Phil Kline has requested the medical records of 90 women from two Kansas abortion clinics. Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is seeking records on minors who receive health care services from Planned Parenthood centers.
Planned Parenthood says that demanding the medical records is an abuse of power, meant to intimidate women from seeking abortions or health care from facilities such as Planned Parenthood. Kline and Carter deny the allegations, arguing that the documents are necessary for criminal investigations.
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Last week, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit to block Carter’s demands for the medical records. Carter maintains that the records will be used to investigate child sexual abuse.
A request has been made to block or restrict the information provided to Kline on the basis of patient privacy. Kline issued a response, arguing that it was Planned Parenthood’s decision to release the names of the patients.
“Planned Parenthood held a news conference presenting their position on why they can defy a court issued subpoena, to announce they would contact women and children who are not suspects in any investigation and to criticize me for speaking to the media about the case,” said Kline.
“Keep in mind I have repeatedly sought to seal the medical records subpoenaed by the District Court and I have asked that the Supreme Court keep this matter under seal. The inconsistencies in the clinic’s news conference are obvious.”
Kline stated that the records are important for investigations in child rape and potential illegal late-term abortions and pledged to respect the privacy of the women and children involved.
“Medical records are used in virtually every violent crime investigation and you never read the name of a child rape victim in the paper,” said Kline. “The only people who are at risk of public exposure are those individuals who have raped innocent children or performed abortions not in compliance with Kansas Law.”
