State of Texas Sues Federal Government for Cutting Off Funding to Texas Women’s Health Program

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott earlier today filed a federal lawsuit to sue the federal government to regain funding for the state's Women's Health Program.

Officially, the state sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (You can read the text of the suit, by clicking here)

The state says the Obama administration's move interferes with its ability to promote women's health.

The Women's Health Program has about 130,000 low-income participants, and federal funds had covered 90 percent of its costs.

But a new Texas law bars state funding for clinics affiliated with abortion providers. That made the Obama administration cut off funding, arguing that federal law requires women to be able to choose any qualified clinic.

Governor Rick Perry has vowed that Texas will continue the program even without federal support.

In a statement released by the Governor's Office, Governor Perry said, "The Obama Administration's decision to deny health care to more than 100,000 low-income Texas women demonstrates his unwavering allegiance to abortion providers and their affiliates.

"As I have made clear, I will not stand by and let this Administration abandon these Texas women to advance its political agenda; Texas will fund these services with or without the federal government. This is about life and the rule of law, which Texas respects and the Obama Administration does not. I applaud Attorney General Greg Abbott's swift action to defend our state's laws and our ability to carry out the will of Texans."