Key aspects of Trump gag order upheld by federal appeals court
On May 7th, 2020, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld key aspects of a Trump administration gag order that restricts abortion clinics from receiving federal family planning funds. The ruling requires clinics receiving Title X funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to remain completely separate from those providing abortion services. This means that clinics receiving Title X money are unable to refer patients for abortion services or share a physical space with the clinics providing the services, as well as other requirements. This ruling overturns a lower court decision that previously struck down the gag order. The dissenting judge in the case argued that the policy tramples on women’s right to freedom of speech and access to medical information. The decision is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.