Attorney General Gentner Drummond's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for the restoration of Oklahoma's Title X funding has garnered significant backing. This week, four amicus briefs were filed by a diverse coalition that includes states, members of Congress, medical organizations, and public policy groups.
In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled that the federal government could withdraw millions in Title X grant funding from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) due to its refusal to offer abortion referrals following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Drummond petitioned for certiorari in October, seeking a Supreme Court review and reversal of the Tenth Circuit’s decision. Before this decision by the Biden Administration, OSDH had received such funding for over 40 years to provide healthcare services like cancer screenings and pregnancy prevention.
"This strong show of support from states, federal lawmakers, medical professionals and policy organizations demonstrates the far-reaching implications of the Biden Administration's unprecedented action," Drummond stated. He emphasized that "Federal law is clear that Title X funds cannot be used for abortion," and criticized attempts to compel states into providing abortion referrals under threat of losing essential healthcare funding.
A group comprising 19 members of Congress, including all representatives from Oklahoma, filed one brief stressing healthcare institutions' rights under the Weldon Amendment to refuse abortion referrals without facing discrimination or penalties. This group was led by Sen. James Lankford and Rep. Tom Cole.
Another brief was submitted by 21 states led by Texas, asserting that this case "presents a question worthy of this Court's time" as it affects both Title X fund recipients and state authority over abortion laws and policies. States joining Texas include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio South Carolina Virginia West Virginia Wyoming
Leading medical organizations representing over 22 thousand healthcare professionals also urged court consideration In their brief groups including American Association Pro-Life Obstetricians Gynecologists argued court should protect Oklahoma its healthcare professionals unlawful discrimination ensure all Oklahomans access care
A fourth brief came from a coalition focused on religious liberty family values public policy
Read more about these briefs:
- Brief from 19 members of Congress
- Brief from Texas and 20 additional states
- Brief from professional medical organizations
- Brief from 35 coalitions and organizations