NBC's Andrea Mitchell talks with Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, about the latest piece of legislation out of Texas that would block funding for the state's Planned Parenthood centers.
By msnbc.com staff and news services
A federal judge on Monday blocked a Texas law that would have excluded Planned Parenthood from participating in the state's women's health program.
U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled Monday there is sufficient evidence the state law is unconstitutional. He imposed a temporary injunction against enforcing the law until he can hear full arguments.
The law passed last year by the Republican-controlled Legislature forbids state agencies from providing funds to an organization affiliated with abortion providers. It was set to go into effect on Tuesday.
In response, eight Planned Parenthood clinics that don't provide abortions sued the state. The clinics say the law unconstitutionally restricts their freedom of speech and association.
In granting the preliminary injunction, Planned Parenthood can continue to serve women, and getting reimbursed by the state, according to the Austin Statesman.
"The court is particularly influenced by the potential for immediate loss of access to necessary medical services by several thousand Texas women," Yeakel said in a 24-page ruling.
Texas officials have said that if the state is forced to include Planned Parenthood, they likely will shut down the program that serves basic health care and contraception to 130,000 poor women.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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