WASHINGTON — President Trump signed legislation April 13 that once again enables states to withhold federal family planning funds from Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.

Trump’s action overturned a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services in December, only five weeks before President Obama left office. Many pro-life advocates perceived the HHS regulation, which effectively barred states from prohibiting Title X funds for abortion clinics, as a parting gift from Obama to the abortion industry.

The HHS rule appeared particularly beneficial to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In recent years, at least 12 states have cut money for Planned Parenthood, some in the wake of various scandals uncovered regarding the country’s No. 1 abortion provider. Courts blocked those actions in some cases, thereby enabling the organization to continue to receive government funds.

Pro-life leaders applauded the president’s enactment of the congressional resolution.

“It is a travesty that any taxpayer money goes to support the exploitive work of Planned Parenthood,” said Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “State legislatures that seek to prevent that from happening should be respected, not thwarted by federal allies of the abortion industry.

“I’m thankful for this reversal and pray for the day soon when abortion providers would not operate on any cent of public money,” Moore said.

The sponsors of House Joint Resolution 43 commended Trump for signing their measure.

Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., said the new law places the American people “back in the driver’s seat, empowering states like Tennessee to steer their Title X funds away from abortion-centric facilities like Planned Parenthood.”

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said enactment of the resolution “restores states’ rights over a Washington-knows-best mentality.”

Dawn Laguens, PPFA’s executive vice president, criticized the law, saying, “People are sick and tired of politicians making it even harder for them to access health care, and this bill is just the latest example.”

The measure overturning HHS’ pro-Planned Parenthood rule almost didn’t make it to Trump’s desk.

Acting in his capacity as president of the Senate, Vice President Mike Pence twice cast tie-breaking votes to gain passage in the upper chamber. On March 30, the vice president broke 50-50 roll calls — first to bring the proposal to the Senate floor and then to pass it. The House of Representatives approved the legislation in a 230-188 vote in February.

The new HHS rule does not explicitly block states from providing Title X funds to abortion providers. Instead, it bars states from basing the selection of a recipient organization on anything other than “its ability to provide Title X services.” As a result, states are unable to block funds from going to organizations simply because they provide abortions. Title X is the federal program that provides money to states for family planning and preventive health services.

According to federal law, Title X funds cannot be used for the performance of abortions, but pro-life advocates point out grants to Planned Parenthood and similar providers free up other funds for use in performing abortions.

Planned Parenthood affiliates performed 323,999 abortions during 2013-14, the most recent year for which statistics are available. PPFA and its affiliates received $553.7 million in government grants and reimbursements, according to its 2014-2015 financial report. (BP)