Current:Home > FinanceRobert Brown|Texas sues to stop a rule that shields the medical records of women who seek abortions elsewhere -FutureFinance
Robert Brown|Texas sues to stop a rule that shields the medical records of women who seek abortions elsewhere
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-07 16:01:37
AUSTIN,Robert Brown Texas (AP) — Texas has sued the Biden administration to try to block a federal rule that shields the medical records of women from criminal investigations if they cross state lines to seek abortion where it is legal.
The lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services seeks to overturn a regulation that was finalized in April. In the suit filed Wednesday in Lubbock, Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the federal government of attempting to “undermine” the state’s law enforcement capabilities. It appears to be the first legal challenge from a state with an abortion ban that took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the nationwide right to abortion.
The rule essentially prohibits state or local officials from gathering medical records related to reproductive health care for a civil, criminal or administrative investigation from providers or health insurers in a state where abortion remains legal. It is intended to protect women who live in states where abortion is illegal.
In a statement, HHS declined comment on the lawsuit but said the rule “stands on its own.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to protecting reproductive health privacy and ensuring that no woman’s medical records are used against her, her doctor, or her loved one simply because she got the lawful reproductive care she needed,” the agency said.
Texas’ abortion ban, like those in other states, exempts women who seek abortions from criminal charges. The ban provides for enforcement either through a private civil action, or under the state’s criminal statutes, punishable by up to life in prison, for anyone held responsible for helping a woman obtain one.
It’s not clear whether public officials have sought patient medical records related to abortion. But the state has sought records related to gender-affirming care, demanding them from at least two out-of-state health centers last year. Like many Republican-controlled states, Texas bans gender-affirming care for minors.
At least 22 Democratic-controlled states have laws or executive orders that seek to protect medical providers or patients who participate in abortion from investigations by law enforcement in states with bans.
The federal regulation in question is an update to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which prohibits medical providers and health insurers from divulging medical information about patients. Typically, however, law enforcement can access those records for investigations.
A group of Republican attorneys general, all from states with strict abortion laws, had urged Health and Human Services to ditch the rule when a draft was released last year. In a 2023 letter to HHS, the group said the regulation would unlawfully interfere with states’ authority to enforce laws.
“With this rule, the Biden Administration makes a backdoor attempt at weakening Texas’s laws by undermining state law enforcement investigations that implicate medical procedures,” Paxton said in a news release.
Liz McCaman Taylor, senior federal policy counselor at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said federal law has long provided enhanced protection for sensitive health information.
“But Texas is suing now, not because of its concern with state sovereignty, but because of its hostility to reproductive health,” she said.
__
Associated Press reporter Jamie Stengle contributed from Dallas.
veryGood! (2676)
Related
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- 2024 Olympics: Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon Gets Silver Medal Reinstated After Controversial Ruling
- Georgia attorney general says Black studies course can be taught under racial teaching law exemption
- Disney returns to profit in third quarter as streaming business starts making money for first time
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- People with sensitive stomachs avoid eating cherries. Here's why.
- It Ends With Us Actress Isabela Ferrer Shares Sweet Way Blake Lively Helped With Her Red Carpet Look
- 2024 Olympics: Michael Phelps Pretty Disappointed in Team USA Men's Swimming Results
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Texas man to be executed for strangling mother of 3 says it's 'something I couldn't help'
Ranking
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Dolce & Gabbana introduces fragrance mist for dogs: 'Crafted for a playful beauty routine'
- Kristen Faulkner leads U.S. women team pursuit in quest for gold medal
- Pitbull Stadium: 'Mr. Worldwide' buys naming rights for FIU football stadium
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Reese Witherspoon Mourns Death of Her Dog Hank
- USA basketball players juggle motherhood and chasing 8th gold medal at Paris Olympics
- Kristen Faulkner leads U.S. women team pursuit in quest for gold medal
Recommendation
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
Last Chance Summer Sale: Save Up to 73% at Pottery Barn, 72% at Pottery Barn Teen, and 69% at West Elm
'Halloween' star Charles Cyphers dies at 85
US safety board plans to quiz officials about FAA oversight of Boeing before a panel blew off a 737
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Kamala Harris' vice president pick Tim Walz has a history of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé fandom
Jack Black says Tenacious D 'will be back' following Kyle Gass' controversial comments
See damage left by Debby: Photos show flooded streets, downed trees after hurricane washes ashore