NEWS

Planned Parenthood defunding law won't affect Tennessee

Anita Wadhwani

USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

A new measure signed into law by President Donald Trump on Thursday that allows states to block some funding from going to Planned Parenthood will have no impact on Tennessee - where state lawmakers voted in 2011 to divert those funds to the state Department of Health.

The new measure overturns a rule created before former President Barack Obama left office that barred states from blocking so-called Title X funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.

Planned Parenthood was stripped of its federal funding by Tennessee lawmakers on July 1, 2011.

Title X provides federal funding for preventative health services including birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. By law, no Title X fund pay for abortion services.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers in Tennessee have not received Title X funding since lawmakers voted to divert those funds.

Reach Anita Wadhwani at 615-259-8092 or on Twitter @AnitaWadhwani.