Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Federal Judge Rules Ohio's Effort To Defund Planned Parenthood Unconstitutional
Reuters: Judge Rejects Ohio Law To Cut Planned Parenthood Funds Over Abortion
A judge on Friday prevented Ohio from cutting federal taxpayer funding from 28 Planned Parenthood clinics, setting back the governor's hopes of stopping the women's health services group from providing abortions. U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett said the law was unconstitutional and would cause "irreparable injury" to Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Southwest Ohio and their patients. (Skinner, 8/12)
The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Will Appeal Federal Judge's Ruling To Block Law Defunding Planned Parenthood
The state will appeal a federal judge's ruling Friday blocking Ohio lawmakers' attempt to defund Planned Parenthood, which will make Rep. Tim Ginter happy. "This was a thoroughly vetted and screened piece of legislation,” said the Salem Republican, who presided over committee hearings on the controversial measure to pull $1.4 million from the agency that provides women's health-care services and abortions. (Rowland, 8/13)
The Hill: Judge: Ohio Can't Defund Planned Parenthood
A federal judge is halting a Ohio law that would have defunded Planned Parenthood starting this year, a major decision that will be closely watched by other states with similar measures. Judge Michael Barrett ruled Friday that Ohio’s health department could not defund Planned Parenthood because the group’s patients could face "irreparable injury," according to the 23-page opinion. (Ferris, 8/12)
Meanwhile, in the news from Texas —
Houston Chronicle: Texas Leaders Double Back With Anti-Abortion Proposals
Texas officials have wasted little time advancing new anti-abortion policies after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned state law for building what it deemed to be unconstitutional barriers to abortion. Since the high court opinion decimated parts of the Texas' abortion law in late June, Gov. Greg Abbott's administration has unveiled a new fetal burial policy, published revisions of a mandatory pre-abortion brochure that medical experts say inserts inaccuracies and granted $1.6 million to a group run by an anti-abortion advocate. (Zelinski, 8/12)
