Texas Politics

Blogging politics, elections and the Capitol with the Austin bureau

Planned Parenthood awaits New Year’s Eve ruling


Visiting Judge Gary Harger (law firm photo)



It’s the latest twist in a long-running court saga that stems from the state’s desire to bar Planned Parenthood clinics from program funding because of their connection to abortion providers.

The state is losing federal Medicaid funding that had paid for 90 percent of the program because of its determination to bar Planned Parenthood. The federal government says its rules don’t allow the action, and its money is due to stop flowing on Dec. 31.

State officials will continue providing services with state money. Rules for the state-funded program ban Planned Parenthood. They say if Texas is forced to include Planned Parenthood, the program will end entirely.

Planned Parenthood argues that state officials and agencies don’t have the authority to take such action under current law. The state says it does.

Visiting Judge Gary Harger, who is hearing motions during the holiday week, noted Friday that he had just been notified on Thursday that he would hear the motion for a temporary restraining order. Harger said the Planned Parenthood petition was 129 pages, and the state response was 61 pages, and he wanted to take the matter under advisement. He plans to rule on Monday.

Peggy Fikac

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