MAINE, USA — The Center for Reproductive Rights is appealing a federal judge's rejection of a request to block new rules for family planning grants.
The appeal to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston was filed on Thursday, just days before the new rules take effect on Monday.
The rules by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services prohibit family planning clinics funded by the federal Title X program from making abortion referrals. Maine Family Planning is withdrawing from the program, losing $2 million a year, because of the gag rule.
New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights sued on behalf of Maine Family Planning.
A federal judge in Maine said last month that the new rules make obtaining an abortion "more convoluted" but that the challenge is likely not as insurmountable.
