Planned Parenthood is facing some huge cuts after a federal appeals court denied a request to reconsider a ruling that banned government funding.
Planned Parenthood is not giving up the fight, they filed suit with the state court in Austin Friday for a temporary restraining order to maintain its funding.
A hearing has been scheduled for November 8.
The federal court’s recent decision will prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving more than 50 percent of its funds.
“We are doing this for the women of Texas, not for Planned Parenthood,” says Patricio Gonzales, CEO of the Hidalgo County Planned Parenthood. “This case is not about Planned Parenthood. It’s about the women of Texas getting affordable health care services."
With no health insurance, UTPA grad student Melissa Rangel says the court decision is devastating.
"This is a huge loss for the community,” Rangel said.
Rangel recently had a permanent birth control procedure done at Planned Parenthood.
“I really could not have afforded it otherwise,” Rangel said.
Rangel says without the government funding, other women like her will not be able to receive the women's health services they need.
"They give the women of the Rio Grande Valley an opportunity to take care of themselves,” Rangel said.
The Hidalgo County Planned Parenthood does not offer abortion but does offer many important women’s health services like pregnancy tests, obstetrician services and self exam training for cancer.
Gonzales says they will not stop fighting until they their funding is secured.
"Politics shouldn't come in between women's health and unfortunately in this case it did,” Gonzales said.
And whether the funding is there or not Rangel is going back.
"There is history of breast cancer in my family so I will continue to go and if I have to pay for the services because they cannot longer provide them free of charge well that s what I’m going to do because I’m comfortable there,” Rangel said.
No matter what happens Gonzales says their doors will be open to help any woman in need of their services.
Planned Parenthood will be holding a fundraiser on November 12 at the McAllen Country Club at 6:30 pm for all those who would like to attend.
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