Planned Parenthood in Federal Court to Protect Women's Access to Health Care 

"This case isn't about Planned Parenthood -- it's about the women who turn to us," said Planned Parenthood Affiliates in Texas

Attorneys for Texas Planned Parenthood affiliates were in court today to protect access to preventive health care including cancer screenings, birth control and annual exams for the 52,000 women enrolled in the Women's Health Program (WHP) and cared for by Planned Parenthood.  A three judge panel from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard from lawyers for Planned Parenthood and the State of Texas. " This case isn't about Planned Parenthood -- it's about the women who turn to us for cancer screenings, birth control, and annual exams.  Today we were in court to stand up for them.

"We are confident in the merits of our case and are optimistic that the Appeals Court will maintain the District Court's injunction, which preserves access to preventive health care services for tens of thousands of women.    Governor Perry has already thrown 160,000 women off of health care for partisan political reasons.  There will be more to come if this unconstitutional rule is not stopped.

"Planned Parenthood works every day to keep women healthy.  Given that one in four women in Texas lack health insurance, and we have one of the nation's highest rates of cervical cancer, Planned Parenthood remains as committed as ever to continuing to care for all women who rely on us."

Planned Parenthood Texas affiliates are represented by attorneys with the Texas firm of Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.