The Latest: Planned Parenthood calls ruling patient victory

SALT LAKE CITY – The Latest on a federal appeals decision ordering Utah to continue sending money to the state branch of Planned Parenthood in a defunding fight (all times local):

3:05 p.m.

The head of the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah says an appeals court ruling blocking a state defunding order is a victory for patients.

CEO Karrie Galloway said the judges found the move was likely a politically motived strike against an organization Gov. Gary Herbert disagrees with because it provides abortions.

Herbert hasn’t commented on that aspect of the ruling. He cut off the cash last fall after the release of secretly recorded videos showing out-of-state Planned Parenthood employees discussing fetal tissue donation.

Galloway says her group is a good steward of public money, and they provide important health care services. The blocked contracts were for STD and sex education programs.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decided Tuesday that the state must continue sending money to Planned Parenthood as a lawsuit plays out.

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2:30 p.m.

A spokesman for Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says the governor is disappointed in a federal appeals court decision that blocked his order defunding the state’s Planned Parenthood branch.

Spokesman Jon Cox said in a statement Tuesday that state officials should be able to make contract decisions rather than a distant federal court.

The Planned Parenthood Association of Utah has said the order blocking money for STD and sex education programs was a political move against an organization he opposes. The appeals court says there’s a good chance that’s true.

Herbert, a Republican, has said he ordered the defunding because was shocked by callousness of videos that show employees form outside Utah discussing fetal tissue from abortions.

Cox says the governor will review the ruling to determine the state’s next steps.

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12:20 p.m.

A federal appeals court is ordering Utah to continue sending money to the state branch of Planned Parenthood, overturning an earlier ruling that allowed the governor to defund the organization.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decided Tuesday the order may have violated the organization’s constitutional rights.

The judges extended a court order keeping the money flowing while the larger court battle plays out.

Republican Gov. Gary Herbert cut off the funding for STD and sex education programs last fall, following the release of secretly recorded videos showing out-of-state employees discussing fetal tissue from abortions.

Herbert said he was offended by the callousness of the discussion shown on the videos.

Planned Parenthood says it did nothing wrong and the move amounted to political retribution against an organization he opposes.