Rehearing sought in try to block Planned Parenthood money
NEW ORLEANS — Attorneys for the state of Louisiana are renewing efforts to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
They’ve asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to hold a rehearing on the issue — noting that one judge on that court recently changed her opinion on the issue.
Last September, a three-judge 5th Circuit panel upheld an injunction preventing the state from cutting Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The money goes to non-abortion services for low-income women.
One of the three judges, Priscilla Owen recently changed her position, making it a 2-1 decision instead of a unanimous one.
The result is the same. But attorneys for the state noted Owen’s dissent Thursday in their request for a rehearing by all 15 judges of the 5th Circuit.