The Des Moines-based Planned Parenthood affiliate faces allegations that it fraudulently billed Medicaid from 2002 to 2009 for nearly $28 million.

A federal whistle-blower lawsuit filed by a former clinic director, Sue Thayer, says Planned Parenthood of the Heartland billed Medicaid for blood tests and other procedures related to elective abortions but not for the actual abortions.

The lawsuit was filed in March 2011 but didn't proceed until federal and state prosecutors decided against intervening.

A Planned Parenthood representative, Shelby Cloke, said the organization hadn't had a chance to review the allegations but said the lawsuit "follows a pattern of harassment" against Planned Parenthood affiliates.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has medical centers and education and resource centers in Des Moines and the Nebraska cities of Lincoln and Omaha.