Following up on MB’s earlier diary Federal judge in Oregon to issue temporary injunction blocking 'gag rule' on abortion referrals, I am thrilled to inform dKos that a judge in Yakima, Washington has issued a national injunction.
The suit was brought, on behalf of Governor Inslee and the Washington Department of Health, by Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Judge Stanley Bastian, an Obama-nominated judge on the Eastern District of Washington bench, wrote the opinion and granted the injunction.
As noted in the Governor’s press release:
“This is a major victory for millions of Americans whose healthcare is at stake under President Trump’s dangerous and legally indefensible gag rule," Gov. Inslee said. "Washington has always been a state that stands with women and their right to safe and legal reproductive healthcare, and today we are proud to be keeping women’s health care secure in all 50 states. We won’t stop fighting until this unconscionable policy is defeated for good.”
“Today’s ruling ensures that clinics across the nation can remain open and continue to provide quality, unbiased healthcare to women,” Ferguson said. “Trump’s ‘gag rule’ would have jeopardized healthcare access to women across the country. Title X clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, provide essential services – now they can keep serving women while we continue to fight to keep the federal government out of the exam room.”
Disclaimer: I am an employee of DOH and received notification about the ruling via internal email from the Governor’s office.