Texas cannot proceed with plans to exclude Planned Parenthood from a health and contraceptive care program for low-income women, a federal judge ruled Monday. U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel issued a preliminary injunction halting state attempts to drop Planned Parenthood from the Women's Health Program.
The move, Yeakel ruled, would violate Planned Parenthood's First Amendment rights and place thousands of women in danger of losing vital health care. State officials moved quickly to appeal the ruling.
Yeakel's decision was a victory for Planned Parenthood that might prove short-lived, however.
Texas officials have warned that, under state law, they would have to cancel the Women's Health Program if the organization prevails in its lawsuit.
But on Monday, state health officials said they will comply with Yeakel's ruling while the appeal progresses. Yeakel also must hold a trial before the injunction can be made permanent.
The Women's Health Program — which provides screenings for cancer, hypertension, sexually transmitted infections and other conditions — is primarily designed to provide birth control to women who would be covered by Medicaid if they were to become pregnant.
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