Trump’s ‘gag rule’ on abortion gets green light from appeals court

Federal appeals court judges ruled yesterday that the Trump administration’s “gag rule” on abortion could go into effect immediately. The policy, which makes clinics ineligible for federal funds if they provide abortions or referrals for them, was fought by 21 states when it was put forth in March. It could drain as much as $60 million in Title X money from Planned Parenthood clinics, which provide cancer screenings, HIV tests, and birth control and serve most of the 4 million low-income people receiving health services through Title X. “This is shocking and devastating because we’re talking about millions of people who will no longer be able to access health care,” Dr. Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood, told Shraddha in Aspen. The ruling undoes preliminary injunctions in California, Oregon, and Washington, but other legal challenges are expected.