Obama to keynote Planned Parenthood gala

President Barack Obama will keynote Planned Parenthood's annual gala on Thursday night, the abortion rights group announced on Tuesday.

“President Obama has done more than any president in history for women’s health and rights,” Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement. “We are honored to have President Obama join us at our 'Time for Care’ Gala at this pivotal moment for women's health.”

The White House had previously confirmed the president would attend the gala in Washington, D.C. But his keynote address wasn't publicly announced until Tuesday.

Discussions about the country's abortion laws have increased in recent weeks amid the Philadelphia murder trial of former abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, who is charged with murdering a woman during an abortion procedure and with killing seven babies.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said on April 15 that the president could not take a position on the case because it is currently in trial.

Carney said Obama is "aware" of it, and later added that "certainly, the things that you hear and read about this case are unsettling."

Thursday's gala will honor Dr. Ruth, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lena Dunham, creator and star of HBO's "Girls."