Tribpedia: Reproductive Health

Tribpedia

Women’s reproductive issues in Texas have been much in the news lately, both statewide and nationally. Behind the headlines and the controversies — from the state vs. Planned Parenthood to Planned Parenthood vs. Susan G. Komen for the Cure — are deep-rooted partisan divides, the intersection of faith and policy, even budgetary pressures.

And statistics: According to the 2010 U.S ...

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Abbott Sues Feds Over Women's Health Program

Woman at Texas Capitol protests Republican lawmakers decision to exclude Planned Parenthood from the Women's Health Program
Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Woman at Texas Capitol protests Republican lawmakers decision to exclude Planned Parenthood from the Women's Health Program

Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed yet another lawsuit against the federal government, this one, no surprise, over the Women's Health Program. He argues that the feds' decision to cut off funding is unconstitutional, and that they are trying to force states "into awarding taxpayer subsidies to elective abortion providers."

Rebecca Rankin, a family nurse practitioner, is the lead clinician at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Edinburg. Rankin has worked with Planned Parenthood for 15 years.
Enlarge photo by: Eddie Seal
Rebecca Rankin, a family nurse practitioner, is the lead clinician at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Edinburg. Rankin has worked with Planned Parenthood for 15 years.

Feds to Halt Funding for Women's Health Program

Federal health officials announced Thursday what state leaders have predicted for weeks: that they are halting funding for Texas' Women's Health Program. 

March 6th, 2012: Protest against Texas lawmakers decision regarding changed to the the Women's Health Program. the federal government is expected to cut funding for the program because Texas improperly excluded Planned Parenthood from its list of providers
Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
March 6th, 2012: Protest against Texas lawmakers decision regarding changed to the the Women's Health Program. the federal government is expected to cut funding for the program because Texas improperly excluded Planned Parenthood from its list of providers

What's Next for Texas' Women's Health Program?

A state rule that forces Planned Parenthood out of Texas' Women's Health Program takes effect today. But the transition will take a few weeks. 

Planned Parenthood’s “Don’t Mess with Texas Women” tour bus made a stop near the University of Texas in Austin on Tuesday afternoon. The organization hopes to raise awareness of cuts to women’s health programs that it blames on Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Planned Parenthood’s Texas clinics will lose funding on March 14 from the Texas’ Medicaid Women’s Health Program, which serves some 130,000 low-income women.
Enlarge photo by: Marjorie Kamys Cotera
Planned Parenthood’s “Don’t Mess with Texas Women” tour bus made a stop near the University of Texas in Austin on Tuesday afternoon. The organization hopes to raise awareness of cuts to women’s health programs that it blames on Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Planned Parenthood’s Texas clinics will lose funding on March 14 from the Texas’ Medicaid Women’s Health Program, which serves some 130,000 low-income women.

Feds Will Not Renew Women's Health Program

The federal government will not renew the Women's Health Program, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in Houston on Friday.

Rosario Espriella (center) waits for her appointment at the Edinburg, Texas Planned Parenthood clinic on Tuesday, February 14 with her children L to R: Edgar, 6, Eduardo, 12, Diego, 2 months and Victor, 10.
Enlarge photo by: Eddie Seal
Rosario Espriella (center) waits for her appointment at the Edinburg, Texas Planned Parenthood clinic on Tuesday, February 14 with her children L to R: Edgar, 6, Eduardo, 12, Diego, 2 months and Victor, 10.

Women's Clinics Retreat as Finances Are Cut

For the state's social conservatives, forgoing family planning funding is a small price to pay to send a powerful message: They want Planned Parenthood out of Texas.