Reason Prevails in Kansas

Last fall, we learned that anti-choice groups like Operation Rescue had begun circulating a politically motivated petition to seat a grand jury to investigate Planned Parenthood — all as part of a strategy to restrict access to reproductive health care for women and families in Kansas.

According to state law, only a few thousand signatures are required to seat a grand jury for an investigation.  Petitioners are not required to present any evidence — allegations alone are enough.

This week, we learned that reason had prevailed, when in a great victory for patient privacy, the grand jury cleared Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM) of any wrongdoing.  

The Kansas City Star published an editorial calling out the investigation orchestrated by anti-choice groups for what it really was: a thinly veiled attempt to restrict access to reproductive health care through intimidation and harassment of patients and providers — and, on top of that, a colossal waste of time and money:

At its conclusion, the investigation looked the same as it did at the start — a waste of court resources, a poor use of citizens’ time, and unnecessary harassment of a health-care provider.

The editorial also called for a review of the Kansas law that had allowed anti-choice groups to convene the grand jury in the first place — a sentiment the grand jury itself echoed yesterday.

Unfortunately, the story doesn’t end there.  Despite widespread criticism of the tactics they’ve employed, anti-choice groups have hinted at the possibility of petitioning for another grand jury.  And yesterday, Operation Rescue sent out a deplorable e-mail asking women who have had abortions in Kansas in the past five years to contact them.

Attacks by anti-choice extremists against Planned Parenthood patients and providers are endless.  But we're still standing strong.  And we remain committed to delivering high-quality health care to the women of Kansas and the rest of the country.