Tennessee has lost its legal bid to regain $7 million in annual family planning funding after the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the state. The ruling comes as Tennessee challenges a federal rule that requires states to provide pregnant patients with information about all their options, including abortion. The decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to cut Tennessee’s funding was based on the state’s refusal to comply with the rule and provide patients with information about abortion, which is largely outlawed in the state.
The court ruled that Tennessee had the option to reject federal funding or accept an alternative proposal to provide patients with information about abortion through a toll-free hotline. The state decided to accept the grant, subject to the counseling and referral requirements of the rule. The court also shot down legal arguments made by the state that the rule infringed on state sovereignty and Congress’ authority.
Planned Parenthood is now stepping in to serve patients with the federal funds that Tennessee has lost after the abortion ban. The court noted that Tennessee has not suffered from the loss of funding, as the state legislature approved state funding to replace the federal dollars. The decision by the court leaves the state’s lawsuit, filed in October 2023, to continue in federal court in Nashville.
Overall, the ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reinforces the federal government’s authority to set rules regarding family planning funding and requires states to comply with those rules in order to receive funding.
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