"The Lone Star State is once again in partnership with the federal government to provide meaningful family planning and health services while fostering a culture of life," said Governor Abbott. "This collaboration is a symbol of our commitment to championing the lives of Texas women. I am grateful to President Trump and his administration for approving this waiver, and for his commitment to protecting the unborn while providing much-needed health resources to Texas women."
Stacey Pogue, a Senior Policy Analyst with the Center for Public Policy Priorities in Austin said the agreement won’t actually improve women’s health. “There’s no guarantee or promise…there not even a proposal from Texas to do better, or fund more, or help more people. The request was always just to take Federal dollars and replace our state dollars.” Pogue added that “this waiver is a sham process meant to condone the targeting of Planned Parenthood and other women’s health care providers without actually improving services for women.”
Planned Parenthood also released a statement:
“The Lone Star State is once again in partnership with the Trump administration to drastically slash meaningful family planning and health services, while fostering a culture that is anti-women, anti-choice and anti-health care,” said Dyana Limon-Mercado, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. “This collaboration between Gov. Abbott and the Trump Administration shows how shockingly little value state leaders place on health care for Texas women.”