Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Rolls Back Obama Rule Barring States From Banning Funds To Planned Parenthood
The New York Times: Trump Signs Law Taking Aim At Planned Parenthood Funding
President Trump signed legislation on Thursday aimed at cutting off federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other groups that perform abortions, a move cheered by conservatives who have clamored to impose curbs on reproductive rights. (David, 4/13)
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Signs Legislation Allowing States To Deny Funding To Planned Parenthood
Thursday’s bill signing was quickly condemned by Planned Parenthood and other abortion-rights groups. Dawn Laguens, the organization’s executive vice president, said it would make it harder for Americans to access health care. “We should build on the tremendous progress made in this country with expanded access to birth control, instead of enacting policies that take us backward,” Ms. Laguens said in a statement. “Too many women still face barriers to health care, especially young women, women of color, those who live in rural areas, and women with low incomes.” (Andrews, 4/13)
NPR: Trump Signs Law Giving States Option To Deny Funding For Planned Parenthood
Anti-abortion activists cheered the move as a way to return some measure of discretion to states, which will now have the latitude they once did in deciding how to mete out Title X funds. "This is promise kept," said the Susan B. Anthony List's Marjorie Dannenfelser, who attended the signing which was conducted without media present. "This puts an end to the outgoing gift that Obama gave the Trump administration which was to disallow states from being in charge of its own family planning funds." (Dwyer, 4/13)
The Washington Post: Behind Closed Doors, Trump Signs Bill Allowing States To Strip Federal Family Planning Funds From Abortion Providers
The move marked the 12th time that Trump has signed a resolution under the 1996 Congressional Review Act (CRA) to abolish a rule issued under President Barack Obama. Less than two hours later on Thursday, Trump signed a 13th measure, this one abolishing a Labor Department regulation aimed at expanding retirement savings accounts. (Eilperin, 4/13)
The Hill: Trump Signs Bill Targeting Funding For Abortion Providers
Obama's rule required that state and local governments distribute federal Title X funding for services related to contraception, fertility, pregnancy care and cervical cancer screenings to health providers, regardless of whether they also perform abortions. (Hellmann, 4/13)
Bloomberg: Trump Moves Against Planned Parenthood By Signing GOP Bill
The legislation is part of a broader effort by Republicans to cut off federal funding from health-care organizations that perform abortions, a fight that could resurface as Congress tries to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month. (Olorunnipa, 4/13)
And a look at how it's playing out in the states —
Arizona Republic: Abortion Bill Signed By President Donald Trump Won't Affect Arizona
President Donald Trump has signed legislation that allows states to withhold federal funds for family-planning services from clinics that also provide abortions. But the change won't impact Arizona, even though Planned Parenthood — the law's primary target — provides many of the services in the state. (Beard Rau, 4/13)
Texas Tribune: With Trump's Signature, Texas Women's Health Clinics Could Lose More Funding
Abortion providers in Texas that receive federal dollars to offer reproductive health services to low-income people are likely to lose that funding under a measure President Trump signed Thursday. The measure allows states to exclude Planned Parenthood and other women's health organizations that provide abortions at some of their clinics from receiving federal "Title X" money, which funds family planning services such as contraceptive counseling, pregnancy tests and STD testing. (Evans, 4/13)
