PHOENIX (CBS5) -
A national pro-life organization criticized a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood that seeks to stop the state of Arizona from enacting a law aimed at blocking taxpayer money from funding organizations that provide abortions.
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said the lawsuit seeks to stop a law that Arizona taxpayers and their legislators support.
The Whole Woman's Health Funding Priority Act, or HB 2800, would stop any taxpayer funds from going to organizations, like Planned Parenthood, that perform abortions.
The suit contends the new law taking effect Aug. 2 violates federal law on Medicaid patients' rights and also several constitutional rights.
Arizona law already prohibits the use of public money for abortion funding, but supporters of the law said it was necessary to ensure the state provides no indirect support for abortion.
The SBA List joined the Center for Arizona Police, Arizona Right to Life and other local groups in February to host two press conferences in which they advocated the defunding of Planned Parenthood and the passage of HB 2800.
Nine states, including Arizona, have cut Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding by more than $61.7 million since 2011.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
