The US’s largest provider of reproductive health care has fired its president after less than a year in the job, as the Trump administration rolls back access to abortion.

Against the backdrop of various states passing new regulations on access to abortion and the introduction of similarly restrictive rules by the federal government, Planned Parenthood said it was replacing Leana Wen, just 10 months after she took the high profile job.

Reports said the board of the group, which says it helps provide sexual and reproductive health care to around 5m women, men and adolescents every year, believed it needed to appoint a skilled political fighter to help protect women’s access to safe and legal abortion, as conservatives seek to overturn Roe v Wade the 1973 ruling by the US Supreme Court held that a pregnant woman has a constitutional right to choose to terminate her pregnancy before viability as part of her freedom of personal choice in family matters

Ms Wen, the first physician to lead the group which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2017, said she was leaving because of “philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood”.

“I believe the best way to protect abortion care is to be clear that it is not a political issue but a health care one, and that we can expand support for reproductive health care as the fundamental health care that it is,” she wrote on Twitter.

Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Show all 20 1 /20 Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri Thousands of demonstrators march in support of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice as they protest a state decision that would effectively halt abortions by revoking the license of the last center in the state that performs the procedure, during a rally in St. Louis, Missouri, May 30, 2019. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) SAUL LOEB AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Alabama MONTGOMERY, AL - MAY 19: Lindsey Shelton participates in a rally against one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions on May 19, 2019 in Montgomery, Alabama. Demonstrators gathered to protest HB 314, a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature last week making almost all abortion procedures illegal. (Photo by Julie Bennett/Getty Images) Julie Bennett Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced New York Alison Hickerson from New York City poses for a photo as she take part in a rally in front of the Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village of New York May 21, 2019. - Demonstrations were planned across the US on Tuesday in defense of abortion rights, which activists see as increasingly under attack. The "Day of Action" rallies come after the state of Alabama passed the country's most restrictive abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure in all cases, even rape and incest, unless the mother's life is at risk. Alabama is among about 14 states which have adopted laws banning or drastically restricting access to abortion, according to activists. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) TIMOTHY A. CLARY AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Georgia ATLANTA, GA - MAY 21: Melissa Simpson holds up her arm with "My Body My Choice" written on it during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21, 2019 in Atlanta, United States. The bill would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Alabama abortion law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, outlawing all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion, making the procedure a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Elijah Nouvelage Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Atlanta ATLANTA, GA - MAY 21: Women hold signs during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia "heartbeat" bill would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Alabama abortion law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, outlawing all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion, making the procedure a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Elijah Nouvelage Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Alabama Pro-Choice protesters march through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, during the March For Reproductive Freedom on May 19, 2019. - The state of Alabama passed a near-total abortian ban on May 14, 2019, one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. (Photo by Seth HERALD / AFP) (Photo credit should read SETH HERALD/AFP/Getty Images) SETH HERALD AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 31: Pro-Choice supporters, along with Planned Parenthood staff celebrate and rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center on May 31, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. A judge has issued an order allowing Missouri's only abortion clinic to continue providing the service and maintaining their license until June 4. (Photo by Michael Thomas/Getty Images) Michael Thomas Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Alabama Pro-Choice protesters march through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, during the March For Reproductive Freedom on May 19, 2019. - The state of Alabama passed a near-total abortian ban on May 14, 2019, one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. (Photo by Seth HERALD / AFP) (Photo credit should read SETH HERALD/AFP/Getty Images) SETH HERALD AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Georgia ATLANTA, GA - MAY 21: People hold signs during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia "heartbeat" bill would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Alabama abortion law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, outlawing all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion, making the procedure a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Elijah Nouvelage Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Georgia ATLANTA, GA - MAY 21: Melissa Simpson snaps her fingers in support of a speaker during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Georgia "heartbeat" bill would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Alabama abortion law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, outlawing all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion, making the procedure a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Elijah Nouvelage Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri Thousands of demonstrators march in support of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice as they protest a state decision that would effectively halt abortions by revoking the license of the last center in the state that performs the procedure, during a rally in St. Louis, Missouri, May 30, 2019. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) SAUL LOEB AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Washington, DC WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 23: People wait for the start of a news conference regarding womenâ€™s health care, on Capitol Hill May 23, 2019 in Washington, DC. The news conference was held to discuss the reintroduction of the "Women's Health Protection Act " and address the state-based attacks on abortion rights. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Mark Wilson Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Louisiana Handsmaid themed protesters stand outside Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 25, 2019, to protest the proposed Heartbeat Bill that will ban abortion after 6 weeks in that state, scheduled for a vote on May 28. (Photo by Emily KASK / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMILY KASK/AFP/Getty Images) EMILY KASK AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Louisiana Handsmaid themed protesters march down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 25, 2019, to protest the proposed Heartbeat Bill that will ban abortion after 6 weeks in that state scheduled for a vote on May 28. (Photo by Emily KASK / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMILY KASK/AFP/Getty Images) EMILY KASK AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri Thousands of demonstrators march in support of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice as they protest a state decision that would effectively halt abortions by revoking the license of the last center in the state that performs the procedure, during a rally in St. Louis, Missouri, May 30, 2019. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) SAUL LOEB AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri TOPSHOT - Thousands of demonstrators march in support of Planned Parenthood and pro-choice as they protest a state decision that would effectively halt abortions by revoking the license of the last center in the state that performs the procedure, during a rally in St. Louis, Missouri, May 30, 2019. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) SAUL LOEB AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Missouri Pro-choice supporters and staff of Planned Parenthood hold a rally outside the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Health Services Center in St. Louis, Missouri, May 31, 2019, the last location in the state performing abortions, after a US Court announced the clinic could continue operating. - A US Court on May 31, 2019 blocked Missouri from closing the clinic. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) SAUL LOEB AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Washington, DC Abortion rights activists rally in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on May 21, 2019. - Demonstrations were planned across the US on Tuesday in defense of abortion rights, which activists see as increasingly under attack. The "Day of Action" rallies come after the state of Alabama passed the country's most restrictive abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure in all cases, even rape and incest, unless the mother's life is at risk. Alabama is among about 14 states which have adopted laws banning or drastically restricting access to abortion, according to activists. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS AFP/Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Georgia ATLANTA, GA - MAY 21: Heather Masson, left, and Victoria Jernigan hold signs promoting a woman's right to choose during a protest against recently passed abortion ban bills at the Georgia State Capitol building, on May 21, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The bill would ban abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Alabama abortion law, signed by Gov. Kay Ivey last week, includes no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, outlawing all abortions except when necessary to prevent serious health problems for the woman. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion, making the procedure a Class A felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Elijah Nouvelage Getty Protests across US after abortion laws enforced Alabama Cristina Castor (L) and Julian Kersh pose for a portrait in Ingram Park in Birmingham, Alabama, May 19, 2019 during the March for Reproductive Freedom. - "If this goes all the way and flips Roe v Wade at that point it just seems like where is this going to stop," Kersh said. The state of Alabama passed a near-total abortion ban on May 14, 2019 making it the most restrictive law in the United States. (Photo by Seth HERALD / AFP) (Photo credit should read SETH HERALD/AFP/Getty Images) SETH HERALD AFP/Getty

The board of directors of both the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, announced that Alexis McGill Johnson was named acting president and chief executive effective immediately.

“Alexis is a renowned social justice leader, lifelong political organiser, and a tireless advocate for reproductive rights and access to quality, affordable health care,” said a statement by PPFA board Chair Aimee Cunningham and PPAF Board Chair Jennie Rosenthal.

“We thank Dr Leana Wen for her service to Planned Parenthood in such a pivotal time and extend our best wishes for her continued success.”

Reports pointed out the firing of Ms Wen, 36, come as a number of states such as Georgia, Arkansas and Ohio, have passed restrictions on access to abortion, in an attempt to trigger a legal challenge to the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling that guarantees a women’s right to choose.

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Energised by Donald Trump’s appointment last year of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, anti-abortion activists are hoping to criminalise a procedure a steady majority of Americans believe should be available legally.

In May, Alabama’s governor signed into law the most restrictive abortion legislation in the country. It prevents abortions in every circumstance, other than if a women’s health is at serious risk.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration announced all taxpayer-funded family planning clinics must stop referring women for abortions immediately, saying it was to begin enforcing a new regulation hailed by religious conservatives and denounced by medical organisations and women’s rights groups.

The head of a national umbrella group representing the clinics said the administration is following “an ideological agenda” that could disrupt basic health care for many low-income women.

Ahead of a planned conference with the clinics, the health and human services department formally notified them that it will begin enforcing the ban on abortion referrals, along with a requirement that clinics maintain separate finances from facilities that provide abortions. Another requirement that both kinds of facilities cannot be under the same roof would take effect next year.

The rule is widely seen as a blow against Planned Parenthood, which provides taxpayer-funded family planning and basic health care to low-income women, as well as abortions that must be paid for separately.