Planned Parenthood praises injunction against Ariz. law

Planned Parenthood's political arm claimed victory Friday as a federal judge chose to permanently block an Arizona law aiming at barring the group from Medicaid.

Arizona's GOP governor, Jan Brewer, had declared it a priority to ensure no state dollars flowed to abortion providers that also offer women's health services. State and federal law prohibit public funds from supporting abortion procedures.

But the law became entangled in the courts, with Planned Parenthood arguing that it was discriminatory and neglectful to low-income women. 

On Friday, Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards said it is "unacceptable for politicians to dictate where women can go for their healthcare."

"This case has never been about Planned Parenthood — it is about the women who rely on Planned Parenthood health centers for quality, affordable preventive care. Eliminating Planned Parenthood as an option among providers only hurts women and families," Richards said in a statement.

Similar suits are pending in other states as anti-abortion-rights activists move to deprive Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funding. Texas went as far as to create an entirely separate healthcare program for low-income women that excludes abortion groups as providers.

Planned Parenthood performs about one-fourth of U.S. abortions, according to Reuters.

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