US judge to block Trump administration’s abortion restrictions
He called restrictions in Title X reform 'ham-fisted approach to public health policy'
![Pro-choice activists, politicians and others associated with Planned Parenthood gather against the Trump administration's title X rule change in February in New York City](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2019/04/24/12/abortion-protest-planned-parenthood-24-04-2019.jpg)
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
![Head shot of Andrew Feinberg](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/andrew-feinberg.png)
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
A federal judge in Oregon said on Tuesday that he would block the Trump administration’s ban on abortion referrals.
US District Judge Michael McShane said he would grant a preliminary injunction against new federal rules barring groups providing abortions or abortion referrals from receiving federal funding.
He called the new restrictions a “ham-fisted approach to public health policy” and said they prevent doctors from behaving like medical professionals, according to The Oregonian/Oregon Live.
“This is a victory for patients and doctors in this country,” Planned Parenthood president Leana Wen said on Twitter. “Because of this, our patients across the country can still access the life-saving healthcare they need.”
The new rules are part of a reform of the Title X family planning programme announced in February by the Trump administration. They are set to go into effect on 3 May.
They bar federally funded family planning clinics from referring a patient for abortion and require them to maintain a “clear physical and financial separation” between services funded by the government and any organisation that provides abortions or abortion referrals.
They would also redirect tens of millions of dollars from the women's health provider Planned Parenthood to faith-based groups.
The lawsuit was brought by Planned Parenthood, the American Medical Association and the state of Oregon – one of about 20 US states to launch lawsuits to block the new rules.
It is unclear if the injunction will apply nationwide; Judge McShane said he would describe the scope of the injunction in a formal written opinion soon.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments