A federal judge recently turned down an effort by Planned Parenthood of Indiana to block that state's planned cutoff of public money for the organization. Planned Parenthood had argued that the cutoff would harm health care services for thousands of women on Medicaid. U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt rejected the group's argument, allowing the cuts to take place right away. Pro-life leaders in the state had argued that the matter was about abortion, not health care services to the poor.

Liberal critics have claimed that the legislation helps burnish Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels' standing with social conservatives as he contemplates a possible run for the presidency in 2012. Conservatives, interestingly, have said much the same. (As of this writing, Daniels has not publicly announced his decision on a national campaign.)

The recent congressional controversy over Planned Parenthood and the ongoing situation in Indiana are certain to be hot topics at The Commonwealth Club on June 14, when Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, speaks before the Club.