A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that Texas does have a right to block federally provided funds from going to Planned Parenthood clinics within the state.
Earlier this year, the state sought to block funds from its TexasWomen’s Health Program, the bulk of which came from the federal government, from going to any health organization affiliated with abortion providers. In addition to other health services, some Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortions.
A federal judge had previously issued an injunction that temporarily halted the ban from going forward. With this new ruling, Texas officials have said that the state will now put a stop to those funds for Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood, which has sued to overturn the rule, said its clinics could lose up to $13 million a year and impact some 52,000 Texas women. The federal government promised in March to withdraw its funds from the Texas program that is supposed to aid low-income women if the rule goes forward.
From Reuters:
Texas is the most populous of a number of states with Republican majorities that have mounted a campaign to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood. A group of Planned Parenthood clinics earlier this year filed a federal lawsuit to stop Texas from cutting off the funding. After the appeals court decision was announced, Texas said it would immediately stop providing money to Planned Parenthood under the Women’s Health Program, which provides services to poor women. Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney has vowed to put an end to any federal funds going to Planned Parenthood if he is elected president.
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