Planned Parenthood has filed a federal suit on Monday in an Arizona Federal Court against the state of Arizona for its new abortion law, which blocks funding to its clinics. The organization says that the denial of funds is because of its clinics' abortions regulations. The organization argues that the new law violates certain constitutional rights as well as directly conflicts with rights of Medicaid patients.
Planned Parenthood claims that only three percent of its funding goes towards abortion and that the lack of funding will affect other programs, treatments that is made available to approximately 66,000 Medicaid patients.
The president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Arizona, Bran Howard told Reuters, "It is wrong for the state to tell Arizonans who they can and cannot see for their healthcare. The men and women of this state have the right to see the healthcare provider they deem is best for them." .
The law was signed by the state's Republican governor Jan Brewer in May, it was approved by the state legislation in 2012 and is scheduled to be implemented from August 2. The law is seen by many as a collective effort by conservatives across the nation to restrict abortion. Currently around 13 states have cut funding for Planned Parenthood Clinics; however Planned Parenthood has already won injunctions against the laws in five states: Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana and Kansas.
The American Civil Liberties Union has attached itself to legal team of Planned Parenthood. The State's Attorney General has not released any comments regarding the suit.
