Texas can ban Planned Parenthood funding
A federal court's ruling yesterday means that the State of Texas can cut off funding for Planned Parenthood. Elizabeth Graham, President of Texas right to Life is happy with the ruling.
“The 5th Circuit recognized that when the state pays for the program, the state can set the parameters and the rules for the program,” Graham said. “In this case the state agreed with the legislature that the state should not participate in the program.
Planned Parenthood got a temporary injunction after challenging a new law that bans clinics from getting money. Yesterday's ruling reversed that injunction. Graham says the fight isn't over yet.
“The win is one step on the way to winning the overall lawsuit.”
Governor Perry praised the decision in a statement.
“Today’s ruling affirms that Texas’ Women’s Health Program has no obligation to fund organizations that promote abortion – including Planned Parenthood. The 5th Circuit’s decision is a win for Texas women, our rule of law and our state’s priority to protect life. We will continue to work with Attorney General Abbott in the fight to defend our state laws.
“Texas will continue providing important health services for women through this program in spite of the Obama Administration’s disregard for our state law and unilateral decision to defund this program.”
Melaney A. Linton, of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said in a statement that, “It is shocking that once again it appears that politics is getting in the way of women receiving access to basic health care. Today’s ruling allows the state to deny low-income, uninsured Texas women health care from their trusted provider-Planned Parenthood.
“Governor Perry has already thrown 160,000 women off of health care for partisan political reasons — now there will be more to come. The state’s ongoing efforts jeopardize the health of tens of thousands of Texas women.
"This case has never been about Planned Parenthood — it's about the women who rely on us for basic health care including lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, and annual exams. We are here for Texas women.
The issue will go back to court for trial in October.
