AUSTIN, Texas (AP)--A Texas judge has denied Planned Parenthood's latest attempt to rejoin the state's health program that excludes providers that support abortion rights.
State District Judge Steve Yelenosky said Friday he made his ruling because Planned Parenthood was likely to lose at trial because there are no longer any federal funds involved in the program.
In a statement, Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek applauded the ruling, saying:"This allows us to continue to provide important family planning and preventive care to low-income women and fully enforce state law. We’ve got the Texas Women’s Health Program up and running, and we’ll continue to provide help to any woman who needs to find a new doctor or clinic."
The Texas Women's Health Program provides free wellness exams and contraceptives to more than 110,000 eligible low-income women in state.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.