Planned Parenthood has filed two new lawsuits in state and federal courts in efforts to stay in the new Texas Women's Health program. Texas is moving to defund clinics and doctors with ties to groups that provide abortions. Planned Parenthood has waged an ongoing legal battle to remain in the program.
The lawsuit in state court was filed by McAllen woman who relies on Planned Parenthood for affordable cancer screenings and birth control. The lawsuit argues that Texas lacks the authority to exclude Planned Parenthood from the Women's Health Program.
The federal lawsuit challenges the exclusion of Planned Parenthood as a violation of patients' civil rights.
Planned Parenthood clinics provide services to an estimated 50,000 women from 40 health centers under the Women's Health Program.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.