Report: Kansas judge blocks Planned Parenthood defunding

A federal judge in Kansas has blocked a new state law that strips family planning funding for Planned Parenthood, the Associated Press reports.

The judge, Bill Clinton appointee J. Thomas Marten, issued the injunction Monday. Planned Parenthood had argued that it would have been forced to close one or more of its clinics if the defunding had gone through, but the state said public agencies could handle those patients according to the AP.

The issue has emerged in states across the country as conservatives seek new ways to restrict abortions. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion provider but says its federal funding only helps pay for preventive care for low-income women.

Federal officials have warned New Hampshire and Indiana that they'll lose federal funding if they restrict Medicaid funding for the organization.

In Congress, House lawmakers passed similar legislation in February and again in April. The Senate voted down the restrictions.