NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge has issued an order extending protection of funding for Planned Parenthood clinics that serve an estimated 5,200 women in Louisiana.
U.S. District Judge John deGravelles' order Thursday was an injunction that, in effect, extends a temporary order he issued last week protecting funding for 14 days.
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and some of its clients had sued to block Gov. Bobby Jindal from cutting off Medicaid funding for cancer screenings, gynecology exams and other health services.
Jindal, a Republican presidential hopeful, began the defunding effort after videos were released by the anti-abortion Center for Medical Progress. The center said the videos showed that Planned Parenthood illegally sells fetal tissue for profit. Planned Parenthood denies the allegation.
Planned Parenthood does not currently perform abortions in Louisiana.
