Texas has been given a green light to defund Planned Parenthood after a federal appeals court
refused Thursday to grant another hearing to the organization, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
Following the ruling, Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry announced the state would immediately “defund” the organization’s affiliate clinics in the state, starting Nov. 1.
“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 added.
The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled in August that Texas could cut funding to healthcare centers if they are affiliated with Planned Parenthood or other abortion providers, even if the centers themselves do not perform abortions.
Planned Parenthood officials said the court's "shameful" refusal to grant another hearing won't change the organization's dedication to women's health.
“This ruling further dismantles family planning in the state simply because women trust Planned Parenthood for their Pap tests and birth control. This is shameful,” Jeffrey Hons, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Trust of South Texas, said in a statement.
Clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood served around 50,000 low-income women in Texas during 2011.
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