Planned Parenthood loses in court

A federal appeals court has refused to reconsider its ruling that Texas can withhold state women's health care funding from Planned Parenthood clinics

The New Orleans-based Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling Thursday.

State lawmakers cut off funding for Planned Parenthood, the largest health care provider in the Texas Women's Health Program.

In a statement after the court acted, Gov. Rick Perry affirmed his position that state funding to Planned Parenthood will be withheld.

“Today’s ruling affirms yet again that in Texas the Women’s Health Program has no obligation to fund Planned Parenthood and other organizations that perform or promote abortion," Perry said. "In Texas we choose life, and we will immediately begin defunding all abortion affiliates to honor and uphold that choice.”

The health program provides family planning and other health services to more than 130,000 low-income women and is designed for those who might not otherwise qualify for Medicaid.

Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek says the state has increased the number of doctors and clinics in the program to care for women who need to find new health care providers.

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