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Sunday's Child - Nikolas
New Rules for Texas' Women's Health Program 10/18/12
Associated Press
October 18, 2012
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas health and human services commissioner has released new rules for the Women's Health Program, first among them, no relationship with abortion providers allowed.
The program provides health care to poor women. Dr. Kyle Janek on Tuesday said the new rules are effective on Nov. 1. Planned Parenthood clinics that do not provide abortions have sued the state to stop the rules from taking effect. That case is pending before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Lawmakers renewed the program last year, instructing the Health and Human Services Commission to exclude any clinic that has any kind of ties to an abortion provider.
Federal officials cut off $40 million in funding because the rule violates federal statute. Gov. Rick Perry has promised to continue the program with state funding.