Fighting for Women's Health

The Texas Women's Health Program provides preventative health care to more than 100,000 Texas women, including screenings for breast and cervical cancer, diabetes and hypertension, among other services. First implemented in 2007, the program is being phased out by the Obama Administration.

Under federal law, state leaders are left to administer the program and set criteria for who is considered a qualified provider. Consistent with state and federal law, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has developed the program to ensure continued access to care by qualified providers across Texas.

The Obama Administration rejected the state's waiver application because Texas law excludes abortion providers and their affiliates, like Planned Parenthood, from a list of qualified providers. This is despite the fact Planned Parenthood represents less than 2 percent of enrolled providers statewide.

Following the administration’s decision, Gov. Perry directed Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek to establish TWHP to continue providing the services WHP provided, until the decision is reversed by Congress or the courts.

Women's Health Program Facts

» The program has been in effect since 2007, and provides preventative health care, including breast and cervical cancer screenings to more than 100,000 low-income, Texas women.
» Texas law prohibits tax dollars from funding abortion providers and their affiliates and has since the program's inception.
» Under federal law, states administer Medicaid and have the right to set the criteria for "qualified providers" in the program, not Washington. This is exactly what Texas has done, in accordance with Texas law. Texas law prohibits tax cheats, deadbeat parents or people suspected of serious abuse from participating as a provider in Medicaid, even though federal law does not.
» There are more than 2,500 qualified providers in the WHP.
» Planned Parenthood represents less than two percent of providers in the WHP.
» Planned Parenthood's cost per client is 43 percent higher than most other providers, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
» In FY 2010, nearly 80 percent of women served received WHP services from non Planned Parenthood providers.

News & Announcements

• Monday, December 31, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Statement by Gov. Perry Regarding the Denial of Planned Parenthood’s Temporary Restraining Order
  Gov. Rick Perry released a statement on the Travis County court’s decision to deny Planned Parenthood’s temporary restraining order, clearing the way for thousands of low-income Texas women to access much-needed care, while at the same time respecting the values and laws of our state.
• Thursday, November 08, 2012 • Austin, Texas • Press Release
  Planned Parenthood Seeks to Abandon Constitutional Case; Betting on Technicality in Travis County Court
  Planned Parenthood has sought permission to conditionally abandon its case in federal court acknowledging what we have known from the very beginning – their constitutional challenge is flawed on its face. We see their stalling tactic for what it is – yet another attempt to unashamedly defy the will of Texas voters and taxpayers.
• Wednesday, October 31, 2012 • Georgetown, TX • Press Release
  Gov. Perry: Texas Stands Ready to Implement State Women’s Health Program
  
  Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner (HHSC) Kyle Janek, M.D. announced that the state-funded Texas Women’s Health Program (WHP) is ready to begin providing preventative health screenings and services to thousands of low-income Texas women, while fully complying with Texas state law. They were joined by Texas lawmakers at Lone Star Circle of Care at Lake Aire Medical Center, a qualified provider participating in the Texas WHP.
  » Read the Speech: Text of Gov. Perry’s Remarks at Women’s Health Program Press Conference
• Friday, October 26, 2012 • Austin, Texas  • Press Release
  Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Latest Planned Parenthood Lawsuit Against Texas
  Gov. Rick Perry released the following statement regarding Planned Parenthood's latest lawsuit against Texas, filed in the Travis County District Court, relating to the Women’s Health Program rules:
• Thursday, October 25, 2012 • Austin, Texas  • Press Release
  Gov. Perry: Texas to Immediately Defund Abortion Affiliates in WHP in Response to 5th Circuit’s Ruling
  Gov. Rick Perry released the following statement on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to deny Planned Parenthood’s request for reconsideration of the Court’s August decision to uphold state law:
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