TX Planned Parenthood Ban Blocked

A federal appeals court in Texas said the state could not enforce a rule that would prevent taxpayer funds from going to groups connected to abortion services. The Texas rule was intended to block Planned Parenthood or similar organizations from involvement in a women’s-health program funded by the state, but Planned Parenthood sued. The federal judge ruled to block the regulation Saturday, citing the “potential for immediate loss of access to necessary medical services by several thousand Texas women.” Last month, a spokeswoman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry told reporters that the governor stands by the rule blocking money to Planned Parenthood.