Gov. Brown and AG Rosenblum respond to injunction of Title X “gag rule”

Today, U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane granted a nationwide injunction of the Trump Administration’s Title X “gag rule.” The rule, if allowed to take effect, would have prevented tens of thousands of women in Oregon and across the country from accessing critical reproductive health services and information.

“This ruling is a huge win for women in families in Oregon and across the nation,” said Governor Kate Brown. “The government has no place in conversations between women and their doctors, and I am pleased that a federal judge agreed that the Trump Administration’s reckless rule should be blocked.”

Governor Brown and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit last month challenging the legality of the rule, which bars providers in any clinic that receives Title X funding from referring a patient for an abortion. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon and joined by 21 states’ Attorneys General, the American Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the American Medical Association and Oregon Medical Association.

“We are pleased that Judge McShane today granted a nationwide injunction, agreeing with us in his written opinion that this “Gag Rule” should not go into effect on May 3rd because ‘…harm would occur to plaintiffs in every state,'” Attorney General Rosenblum said. “This gives us hope that our health care system will be able to continue to serve those who are most in need of medical care. I want to thank our legal team for their great work — including our co-lead the New York Attorney General, 19 other Attorneys General, the AMA and Planned Parenthood.”

“This decision from Judge McShane recognizes the incredibly harmful prospect of gagging healthcare providers and limiting their ability to provide full and accurate information to patients. This is a victory for patients who rely on Title X and for the many people who work in Planned Parenthood health centers,” said Lisa Gardner, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon.

“Planned Parenthood is proud to have challenged this unethical rule every step of the way and today’s ruling is wonderful news. Judge McShane’s opinion perfectly outlines and recognizes the harm that this rule could have on health outcomes and for the patients most in need of care. For now, providers can continue to provide truthful, comprehensive, and nonjudgmental information and health care, including referring their patients for abortion,” said Anne Udall, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette.

This press release was provided by of the Office of Governor Kate Brown.