A lawsuit that could have “devastating consequences” for Planned Parenthood has had a trial scheduled to begin next year in an Amarillo courthouse.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s order set the trial to begin in April 2024.
Reuters reported that in the now-sealed order, Kacsmaryk found that the organization is obligated to return certain funds to the states of Texas and Louisiana. He did not rule on the exact amount or whether Planned Parenthood knowingly broke the law.
The case originated with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) filing a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood in 2022 on behalf of Alex Doe, an anonymous realtor who is alleging that despite the organization being removed from Texas Medicaid, it has continued to receive payments from the program.
The lawsuit is seeking repayment of $10 million and a wide array of potential penalties, which range from $5,500 to $11,000 for each violation. Planned Parenthood and its Texas affiliates estimated that “more than $1.8 billion” in fines, penalties, and repayments to the state and federal governments could be due if the jury rules against them.
Source: Planned Parenthood Texas Medicaid Fraud Case Trial Date Set for April / The Texan