AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal appeals court ruled late Tuesday that Texas can cut off funding for Planned Parenthood clinics that provide health services to low-income women before a trial over a new law that bans state money from going to organizations tied to abortion providers.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans lifted a federal judge's temporary injunction calling for the funding to continue pending an October trial on Planned Parenthood's challenge to the law.
Texas officials sought to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood clinics that provide family planning and health services to poor women after the state's Republican-led Legislature passed a law banning funds to organizations linked to abortion providers. No state money goes to pay for abortions.
Planned Parenthood sued, saying the law violates its free speech rights. The Texas attorney general argued lawmakers may decide which organizations receive state funds.
A federal judge in Austin had ruled that the funding should continue pending the trial on Planned Parenthood's lawsuit, saying there's sufficient evidence the state's law is unconstitutional. But the three-judge appellate panel disagreed, unanimously ruling Tuesday that Planned Parenthood was unlikely to prevail in future arguments that its free-speech rights were violated.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office had argued before the appeals court that the state is entitled to exclude groups affiliated with abortion providers from its federally subsidized Women's Health Program. Abbott cheered the appeals court decision, noting that it "rightfully recognized that the taxpayer-funded Women's Health Program is not required to subsidize organizations that advocate for elective abortion."
"We are encouraged by today's decision and will continue to defend the Women's Health Program in court," Abbot said in a statement.
Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the case "has never been about Planned Parenthood - it's about the women who rely on Planned Parenthood for cancer screenings, birth control and well-woman exams."
"It is shocking that politics would get in the way of women receiving access to basic health care," Richards said. "Governor (Rick) Perry has already thrown 160,000 women off of health care for partisan political reasons - now there will be more to come.
"Today's ruling puts the health of an additional 52,000 women in jeopardy."
Tuesday's decision comes as conservative groups across the nation try to pass and enforce laws to put Planned Parenthood out of business and make getting an abortion more difficult. Earlier this year the same court upheld a new Texas law requiring doctors to perform a sonogram and provide women with a detailed description of the fetus before carrying out an abortion.
The latest battle involves the Texas Women's Health Care Program, which is designed to provide services to women who might not otherwise qualify for Medicaid. The state paid for roughly $5 million for the program with the federal government paying $35 million.
The federal Commission on Medicare and Medicaid Services, however, warned Texas against banning groups from the program based on their political activities and the federal government cut funding. The governor has promised the state will pick up the extra cost.
WILL WEISSERT
Associated Press
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Court: Texas can cut funding to Planned Parenthood
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Legislature approves tax breaks for data centers
- Ex-'Yogurt shop murders' figure seeks compensation
- Man sentenced to 50 years for cold case killing
- Man faces arson charge after Houston fire
- Mother killed, kids hurt, after shoplifters crash
- Bush hosts 2nd day of bike ride for veterans
- Galveston leaders to meet over Ike housing story
- Galveston judge suspended by state after arrest
- Texas rapper indicted, controlled substance count
- Woman condemned for boy's starvation loses appeal
- Afternoon Coverage Outlook
- Obama's drone rules leave unanswered questions
- Budget cuts mean unpaid day off for many in gov't
- DA: Victims shot after drugs handed over
- Driver described as 'horrified' after causing bridge collapse
- Lawyer wants documents in Maine teen death sealed
- Obama OKs honor for Birmingham bombing victims
- Colo. school searched after report of armed man
- First lady, Kerry Washington visit DC arts school
- Man charged with stalking Jennifer Lawrence's kin
- UK court: Lawmaker's wife's tweet was libelous
- Pakistani official says 2 passengers threatened flight to Britain
- Tunisian feminist faces 6 months in prison
- Berlusconi looms large in Rome mayor election
- Afghan Taliban attack aid group, 2 guards killed
- Woman in Berlusconi denies her own statements
- Official: Situation on plane from Pakistan apparently not terror-related
- Venezuela to create new workers militia
- Ex-Guatemala president extradited to US
- Ruby says her sworn statements were lies
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
US durable goods orders rise 3.3 percent in April
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. orders for long-lasting manufactured goods rebounded in April, buoyed by more demand for military and civilian aircraft and an increase in business investment.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise.
Get This
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: RESTAURANT FLAP LEADS TO INTERNET MELTDOWN
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- It isn't exactly to curry favor with your restaurant customers -- even if your specialty isn't curry.
