Arizona is appealing a ruling that allows Planned Parenthood to receive public funding through the state to provide health care services to women in need. The state is taking its case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: In October, a U.S. district judge issued an injunction blocking the state from implementing a new law that bans the use of public funding for health care services provided by organizations that perform abortions. Governor Jan Brewer signed the law earlier this year. Planned Parenthood sued the state arguing that the state should not tell Medicaid patients who they can choose for medical care. Judge Neil Wake ruled Arizona’s law conflicts with federal protections for Medicaid patients to choose their health care provider. Arizona Solicitor General David Cole says the issue could be resolved if agencies like Planned Parenthood divulge how the public funds are used.   

DAVID COLE: What we have said all along is if you will simply bifurcate so we can tell what money is going where then there won’t be an issue. But, they prefer not to do it that way. It’s our belief that until we have a situation where their funds are coming from and where they’re going to this is going continue to be a problem.

ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: According to a spokesperson for the Ninth Circuit Court, the case will be heard next year.