A federal judge says the state of Texas cannot exclude Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid Women’s Health Program.
The program provides contraceptives and basic health screenings for more than 100,000 low income women in Texas. A state rule aimed at preventing Planned Parenthood from providing services under the program was put in place earlier this year.
A federal appeals judge today said there is evidence that the rule is unconstitutional – and upheld a lower court’s order that temporarily blocks the state from enforcing it.
State officials have said they will shut down the Women’s Health Program entirely if they’re forced to allow Planned Parenthood to participate.
