Washington state and the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association sued the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services in early March to block the agency from enforcing the modifications. A separate lawsuit was filed by the American Medical Association and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America to stop the funding changes, and 22 states issued a third legal challenge. The Title X changes impose a “government gag rule” on what information physicians can provide to their patients, according to the plaintiffs.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and other groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have voiced their opposition to the Title X restrictions. In a joint court brief, the medical societies wrote that the Trump administration’s limitations to the Title X program will create cultural, geographic, and financial barriers to care; erode the physician-patient relationship; and cause extreme, immediate, and irreparable harm to millions of patients.
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the nationwide ban ensures that clinics across the nation can remain open and continue to provide quality, unbiased health care to women
“Trump’s ‘gag rule’ would have jeopardized health care access to women across the country,” he said in a statement. “Title X clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, provide essential services – now they can keep serving women while we continue to fight to keep the federal government out of the exam room.”
AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, MD, praised Judge McShane’s order. “The new rule would have placed obstacles to health care for low-income patients,” Dr. McAneny said in a statement. “We are pleased the judge shared the AMA’s concern about the physician-patient relationship that the rule would have jeopardized.”
The Trump administration had not said at press time whether it would appeal the order.
Antiabortion organizations, such as the Susan B. Anthony List, have expressed strong support of the Title X funding restrictions.
“The rule advances President Trump’s promise to stop taxpayer funding of abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood,” SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “The Protect Life Rule does not cut family planning funding by a single dime, and instead directs tax dollars to entities that provide health care to women but do not perform abortions.”