The chair of a House subcommittee targeting abortion providers last week called on New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) to launch an investigation into whether an abortion clinic in the state and the University of New Mexico (UNM) violated state law when transferring fetal tissue, the Albuquerque Journal's "Inside the Beltway Blog" reports (Coleman, "Inside the Beltway Blog," Albuquerque Journal, 6/23).
Background
The subcommittee is the fourth House committee to investigate Planned Parenthood following the release of a series of misleading videos targeting the organization. The subcommittee is allowed to probe, among other topics, federal funding for health care providers who also provide abortion services and providers' practices for abortions later in pregnancy. According to subcommittee Chair Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), the panel has subpoena powers that it will use in consultation with the House speaker. The subcommittee could recommend changes to laws and regulations based on its findings.
The subcommittee has issued several subpoenas requesting the names of fetal tissue researchers, spurring criticism from medical groups and liberal lawmakers who are concerned that the subpoenas could put researchers, students and medical professionals at risk of antiabortion-rights violence.
In May, Blackburn called on HHS to investigate multiple abortion clinics and StemExpress, a fetal tissue procurement company targeted in the videos and in a report released by the subcommittee. StemExpress officials said the company had not violated any laws.
Liberal lawmakers in the House have repeatedly criticized the investigation and called for the subcommittee's disbandment (Women's Health Policy Report, 6/2).
Latest developments
On Thursday, Blackburn claimed that the abortion clinic, Southwestern Women's Options, and UNM Health Sciences Center (UNMHSC) have violated a 2007 state law called the Spradling Act. The Spradling Act regulates the donation of human tissue in the state.
According to the "Inside the Beltway Blog," UNMHSC receives fetal tissue from Southwestern Women's Options for medical research. The subcommittee claims that the Spradling Act prohibits the transfer of fetal tissue resulting from abortion.
Bill Sparks, a spokesperson for UNMHSC, denied the allegations, stating that the Spradling Act permits the transfer of fetal tissue. "We categorically deny the Chair's assertions in every respect," Sparks said, adding, "The University of New Mexico and its medical providers are committed to complying with all federal and state laws, rules and regulations," including the Spradling Act.
Explaining that the Spradling Act does not bar the transfer of fetal tissue resulting from an abortion, Sparks noted, "[C]ontrary to [Chair] Blackburn's assertions, this act does not apply" to fetal tissue resulting from abortion at Southwestern Women's Options. Moreover, according to Sparks, "UNM has never paid for this tissue -- it has been provided free to the University of New Mexico for medical research."
Separately, James Hallinan, a spokesperson for Balderas, said the attorney general's office was reviewing Blackburn's request.
According to the "Inside the Beltway Blog," the subcommittee has targeted the clinic and UNM as part of its investigation and subpoenaed material from both organizations. However, UNMHSC and Southwestern Women's Options have declined to disclose identifying information about providers, researchers and other staff requested by the subcommittee, citing safety concerns ("Inside the Beltway Blog," Albuquerque Journal, 6/23).
