Arkansas to appeal judge's Planned Parenthood ruling

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas has filed its notice to appeal a decision from a federal judge that blocked the state from suspending Medicaid funding for three women who sued over the state's cancellation of its contract with Planned Parenthood.

Solicitor General Lee Rudofsky filed notice Monday that the state would appeal U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker's order, which was issued Friday. Baker issued a preliminary injunction requiring the state to pay for the services for three unnamed women, referred to in the suit as Jane Does, challenging the contract's termination.

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson terminated the state's Medicaid contract in August over videos secretly recorded by an anti-abortion group. The state has said Planned Parenthood received $51,000 in Medicaid funds over the past fiscal year. None of the money paid for abortions.

Upcoming Events