AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Planned Parenthood is suing Texas for excluding the group from participating in a state program that provides contraception and check-ups to women.
The group contends in its lawsuit filed Wednesday in Austin that a new state law banning organizations affiliated with abortion providers from participating in the state's Women's Health Program amounts to unconstitutional discrimination by association.
The federal government has also cut funding to Texas over the issue. It says the law passed by conservative legislative Republicans last year cutting taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood because affiliates of the group offer abortions denies women the right to choose their health care providers.
No taxpayer money is used to fund abortions and the clinics that perform them are legally separate.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.