INDIANAPOLIS -- MedAssure is facing a fine and scrutiny for receiving aborted fetuses from an out-of-state Planned Parenthood clinic, despite its state permit banning it from accepting or processing fetal remains.
Call 6 Investigates reached out to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management after receiving a tip about possible fetal remains being sent to Indianapolis from Missouri.
IDEM said it is looking into the west side Indianapolis facility. Details of the investigation and the fine are expected to be released on Tuesday.
In the past MedAssure has received medical waste shipments from Indiana locations as well as Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Kansas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
But the deliveries that raised questions came from Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri.
It is the only licensed facility in Missouri that can perform surgical abortions.
In September, the Office of the Missouri Attorney General released a report that found the clinic was in compliance with no irregularities.
The review also listed 317 abortions performed in June of last year and the companies connected to the disposal.
Documents point to Pathology Services Incorporated of Missouri and MedAssure of Indianapolis.
Under their 2012 state permit, MedAssure can handle and treat medical waste and transport the waste to a final disposal facility. It can't handle or process fetal remains.
Call 6 Investigates reached out to the companies. No response from Pathology Services.
MedAssure said it was unaware if Pathology Services had sent fetal remains to Indianapolis.
The company's Executive Vice President, Joseph Delloiacovo, said his company is the one that insisted that no fetal remains be included in its state permit.
Before the state's decision to impose a fine Monday, Delloiacovo said MedAssure:
Is fully aware of its permit conditions and fetal remains cannot be processed at our facility. Our policy prohibits taking such waste.
It should also be understood that the generator is responsible for segregating waste items before packaging the waste for pick-up by MedAssure according to federal and states law and other provisions under contract.
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