Appeals Court Unanimously Votes to Allow Trump Administration Title X Gag Rule to Go into Effect
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Trump administration’s gag rule prohibiting Title X funds from being used to fund abortions can go into effect.
According to the Associated Press, all three judges on the panel in the Ninth Circuit Court in California halted any further legal proceedings against the Department of Health and Human Services after three injunctions were issued against it by the states of California, Oregon and Washington in order to halt the President’s rule excluding abortions from receiving Title X funding.
Supporters of the Trump administration rule say that the court’s thumbs up will create a distinct line separating family planning and abortion.
Vice president for policy at the Family Research Council Travis Weber told the Christian Post that this decision will clearly divide the two entities both financially and physically. He said, “To comply with this rule, Title X clinics must maintain both physical and financial separation from abortion services and will no longer be allowed to refer clients for abortions.”
He continued, “While we await the final ruling on the merits of this case, [Thursday’s] ruling from the Ninth Circuit is a great first step in ending the forced partnership between the Title X program and the abortion industry.”
Proponents of the rule have coined it an attack on underprivileged women.
South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg took to Twitter to criticize the court’s decision saying that the gag rule “threatens health care for millions of people.” He wrote, “The #TitleX‘gag rule’ flies in the face of freedom. This decision threatens health care for millions, especially low-income Americans who depend on this funding for preventive services, primary care, and treatment. We need comprehensive, unbiased care. We must #ProtectX.”
The #TitleX “gag rule” flies in the face of freedom. This decision threatens health care for millions, especially low-income Americans who depend on this funding for preventive services, primary care, and treatment. We need comprehensive, unbiased care. We must #ProtectX.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) June 21, 2019
Former U.S. representative who is seeking the presidential nominee for the Democratic party in 2020 Beto O’Rourke also criticized the rule calling it “an attack on women.” O’Rourke wrote on Twitter, “Trump’s gag rule is an attack on women, health care, & @PPFA— which serves 40% of the 4 million patients under Title X. Regardless of income, everyone should have access to reproductive health care. Fight back by making a donation to Planned Parenthood.”
Trump’s gag rule is an attack on women, health care, & @PPFA — which serves 40% of the 4 million patients under Title X. Regardless of income, everyone should have access to reproductive health care. Fight back by making a donation to Planned Parenthood. https://t.co/KqHUVXsoIf
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 21, 2019
National Review staff writer Alexandra DeSanctis clapped back at O’Rourke noting that he was misrepresenting the rule. She wrote, “Planned Parenthood can keep every cent of its Title X funding under the new rule if it financially separates its provision of abortion from the rest of its business. Maybe you should ask them why they aren’t willing to do that.”
Planned Parenthood can keep every cent of its Title X funding under the new rule if it financially separates its provision of abortion from the rest of its business. Maybe you should ask them why they aren’t willing to do that. https://t.co/4obUyJqtpJ
— Alexandra DeSanctis (@xan_desanctis) June 21, 2019
Planned Parenthood President Leana Wen said that she is prepared to fight the Trump administration on the Title X rule, according to the Christian Post.
Wen said in a statement, “We will be immediately seeking emergency relief from the Court of Appeals. Planned Parenthood will not let the government censor our doctors and nurses from informing patients where and how they can access health care.”
She continued, “We will continue to fight the Trump administration in the courts and alongside champions in Congress to protect everyone’s fundamental right to health care.”
Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Scott Olson/Staff
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