The legislation, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4th, defunds Planned Parenthood and other so-called health care facilities that perform abortions.
Planned Parenthood argues this is unconstitutional.
"Everyone deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care,"
Planned Parenthood states in a press release. "That is what we have been fighting for the last century -- and we will never stop. We will be suing the Trump administration to stop this unlawful attack. See you in court."
Carol Tobias of National Right to Life was not surprised that Planned Parenthood would go to court, adding that seems to be their modus operandi.
"I mean, they just go for it," says Tobias. "They want money, and they are going to use every avenue they can possibly think of to try to get it."
There are federal laws that say tax dollars cannot be used to pay for abortions in most circumstances, especially through Medicaid. The Hyde Amendment prevents tax
dollars going to Planned Parenthood, but Tobias says Planned Parenthood could take any tax money that it gets to pay salaries, bills, and that frees up other dollars they have that can be used to pay the staff performing the abortion.
"So, by giving them money even if it was limited to say 'no, it cannot be used for abortion,' it is still allowing them to perform the abortions," says Tobias. "They have that other side of income. The federal income has said that if you perform abortions, you do not get tax dollars. Period. That is the best way to handle it."
Tobias adds that there are other federally qualified health centers that provide the same services as Planned Parenthood, but they do not perform abortions.
"Mainstream media is certainly taking the sympathetic approach to Planned Parenthood and trying to scare women into thinking they are not going get the care they need," says Tobias. "That is just not the case, and we will eventually see that as women continue to get care even after Planned Parenthood is defunded."
