Yesterday US District Court Judge Thomas Marten ruled that the Dodge City Family Planning Clinic was permitted to join a lawsuit, filed by Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM), challenging a Kansas law that prevents both organizations from receiving Title X family planning. Judge Marten indicated that PPKM and the Dodge City Medical Clinic have “the same interest” in their cases to restore Title X funding.
The Dodge City Clinic indicated that unless the funding is restored, the clinic would be forced to close in a few weeks. The clinic’s closure would affect approximately 650 women, many of whom are low income.
The Kansas anti-abortion law went into effect on July 1. On August 1, Judge Marten temporarily blocked the enforcement of the law, which would prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving $330,000 of federal money for fiscal year 2011-2012. Judge Marten wrote, “Residents of Wichita and Hays, Kan., will be best assured of continued family planning services by maintaining the status quo.”
National Partnership for Women and Families 10/12/11; Associated Press 10/12/11
