Oklahoma asks Supreme Court

Oklahoma has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to restore $4.5 million in Title X federal funding, which was revoked by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) due to the state's refusal to provide abortion referrals following its strict abortion ban. The state argues that the HHS's requirement to offer neutral information about abortion violates the Constitution's spending clause and imposes federal policy preferences on state governance. Oklahoma's current abortion law, enacted after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, only permits the procedure to save the mother's life. The Supreme Court's response to this emergency request is anticipated by August 30, as the funds are crucial for family planning services in the state. Other states like Ohio and Tennessee are also challenging the same HHS rule regarding funding conditions. The implications of this case could affect the balance of power between state and federal authorities on healthcare-related matters.