A surprise ruling from the nation’s most liberal federal appeals court was delivered today in favor of a Trump administration pro-life policy.
The Protect Life Rule stops clinics from receiving federal funding if they share office space with abortion providers. It also prevents taxpayer-funded clinics from making abortion referrals.
The move is expected to reduce Planned Parenthood’s federal subsidies by $60 million.
Several lower courts had ruled the policy can’t take effect while it’s being disputed in court.
But a three-judge panel on the liberal Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court overturned those rulings, saying the Trump administration pro-life rules will be implemented while multiple lawsuits against the policy go forward.
“We are pleased that the Ninth Circuit has cleared the way for this important executive branch action to take effect while our appeals are pending,” Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco said. “The Department of Justice’s position is supported by long-standing Supreme Court precedent and we are confident we will ultimately prevail on appeal.”
Leaders of the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, are obviously upset, calling the policy “unethical, illegal, and harmful to public health.” The president of the group says, “Planned Parenthood will not let the government censor our doctors and nurses from informing patients where and how they can access health care.”
Although the Ninth Circuit’s decision could be a temporary victory, pro-life groups say it’s still a win.
The Alliance Defending Freedom referring to the pro-life cause calls it “another step toward ensuring greater government program integrity and the protection of every human life, no matter how vulnerable.”
Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Denise Harle said, “Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars should never be used to fund abortion, shield child abusers, or force medical professionals to violate their convictions by participating in the end of human life. Today, the 9th Circuit unanimously upheld the Trump administration’s rule as ‘reasonable’ and accurately applied the Supreme Court’s precedent by deciding that this rule may immediately go into effect.”
“This commonsense ruling simply allows HHS to ensure greater compliance with current federal and state laws, safeguard vulnerable and abused women and children, and help protect freedom of conscience for health care workers. The Protect Life Rule will prevent organizations like the nation’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, from funding their abortion activities through the Title X program. Planned Parenthood has covered up the sexual abuse of young girls and has been investigated for waste, abuse, and potential fraud. Because of these failures, it doesn’t deserve taxpayer dollars. Today’s ruling is another step toward ensuring greater government program integrity and the protection of every human life, no matter how vulnerable,” Harle said.
–Metro Voice Staff
