Administration pauses abortion rules
Gives taxpayer-funded clinics time to comply
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is giving taxpayer-funded family planning clinics more time to comply with its new rule that says they no longer can refer women for abortions.
The clinics reacted warily to the administration’s enforcement pause.
A notice sent Saturday night to representatives of the clinics by the Department of Health and Human Services said the government “does not intend to bring enforcement actions” against clinics that are making “good-faith efforts to comply.” A copy of the notice, which includes a new timetable for the clinics, was provided to The Associated Press.
The department had said last Monday that it would require immediate compliance. That led Planned Parenthood and other providers to say they would defy the order.
In a statement Sunday, the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association called the administration’s action “wholly insufficient.” The umbrella group, which represents the clinics, is suing in federal court to block the abortion restrictions.
Clare Coleman, president of the group, said the Trump administration’s latest notice amounts to “a few bullet points.”
“Failure (by HHS) to provide detailed implementation guidance may be the start of a game of ‘gotcha’ as it assesses compliance with the rule,” the statement added.
The latest timetable from the administration says clinics must submit a compliance plan next month, and by mid-september they must show they are carrying out most of the new requirements. Clinics have until next March to separate their office space and examination rooms from the physical facilities of abortion providers.
Under the administration rule, clinics also will be restricted in how they can discuss abortion with pregnant women. Only physicians and advance practice clinicians will be able to have such discussions with patients. Counseling about abortion will be optional, instead of standard practice.