A federal judge in Washington state on Thursday blocked a Trump administration rule that would prohibit taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from referring patients to abortion providers, according to the state attorney general.
The preliminary injunction bars enforcement nationwide of a policy that was due to go into effect on May 3 over the vehement objections of abortion supporters who have decried it as a "gag rule" designed to silence doctor-patient communications about abortion options.
"Today's ruling ensures that clinics across the nation can remain open and continue to provide quality, unbiased health care to women," Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement announcing the decision.