Trump lets states block some Planned Parenthood money

The rule tossed out by Trump required state and local governments to distribute federal dollars for family planning services, including contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, fertility, pregnancy care, and breast and cervical cancer screening, to qualified health providers, regardless of whether the providers also performed abortions.

Republicans and abortion opponents said the new law will let states divert money now going to groups that perform abortions to organizations that do not.

Democrats and abortion rights advocates said it was an attack on women.

Seema Verma, who oversees Medicare and Medicaid, said after Trump signed the bill in the Oval Office that the administration wants states to decide what’s best for them and the people they serve.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, said the change will lead to better care for women and girls. She said the law “simply ensures that states are not forced to fund an abortion business with taxpayer dollars.” She said states will now have the option to spend federal family planning funds on comprehensive health care clinics

Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily’s List, which supports Democratic female candidates for public office who support abortion, said the bill is another example of politicians chipping away at women’s rights and making it harder for the less fortunate to get health care.

“We won’t stand for it,” Schriock said.

Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said the administration should build on the progress that’s been made “instead of enacting policies that take us backward.”

The measure narrowly cleared the Senate in late March after Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., who had been absent while recovering from spinal surgery, returned to Washington to vote, bringing the tally to 50-50 in the 100-member chamber.

Vice President Mike Pence, in his constitutional role as president of the Senate, cast the tie-breaking vote.

EVAN VUCCI/AP Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, from left, Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women for America, and Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List meet with reporters Thursday.