In Texas, either women's health received a serious blow, or pro-lifers have gained a crucial victory, depending on your point of view. Gov. Rick Perry announced on Friday that the state will officially defund Planned Parenthood, reports CNN. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused to grant another hearing to Planned Parenthood in their fight to overturn the ruling, which defunds clinics providing abortions among other women's health options.
Earlier this year, after relinquishing federal funding to run local women's health clinics, Texas passed a ruling forcing clinics to certify that they would not perform abortions. Planned Parenthood then sued for an injunction against the ruling and won, but that decision was eventually overturned by a federal court.
"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. In Texas we choose life, and we will immediately begin defunding all abortion affiliates to honor and uphold that choice," Perry said.
The decision continues a legal struggle that has been going on for months.
The Texas Women's Health Program provides about 130,000 low-income women with family planning exams, related health screenings and contraception.
Texas opposed government funding for Planned Parenthood clinics because the organization provides abortions.
Read more at CNN.