Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has sued the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over being denied Title X funding, even though the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has received said funding for over 40 years.
In a press release, Drummond said both Oklahoma and Tennessee were denied Title X funding due to pro-life laws enacted in both states, and instead the funding was given to abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood. This is despite the fact that federal law requires that family planning funding not be “used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning.” As the lawsuit explains:
HHS seeks to punish Oklahoma for the policies adopted by Oklahoma’s elected representatives to protect unborn life. HHS is interfering with rights reserved to the people and their elected representatives despite a clear federal mandate that Title X funds should not be used in programs where abortion is offered as a method of family planning.”
Late last month, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti likewise filed a lawsuit against the HHS for the same reasons, noting that the Title X funding had – as in Oklahoma – been given to Planned Parenthood instead of the state.
Though Planned Parenthood frequently positions itself as a much-needed provider of women’s health services, upon which countless women rely, the facts don’t back up that claim. Their 2021-2022 annual report shows that the number of cancer screenings provided there has dropped over 78% since 2004, and preventative care visits have dropped 20% since 2016. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood’s claim that only 3-5% of their services are related to abortion has been thoroughly debunked; additionally, they commit approximately 40% of all abortions in the United States.
Governor Kevin Stitt applauded the lawsuit in a statement.
“Oklahoma stands up for life,” he said. “The Biden administration’s actions to terminate our healthcare funding due to our pro-life laws is simply an abuse of power. These funds are essential to provide necessary services for Oklahomans across the state. I am glad that Attorney General Drummond has chosen to pursue legal action and I will support this effort in any way necessary.”
