HHS Can’t Enforce Abortion ‘Gag’ Rule in Maryland Pending Appeal

A rule prohibiting family planning service providers who receive federal money from referring their patients for abortions may not take effect while the federal government appeals a ruling barring its enforcement, a federal court in Maryland said.

Federal health department officials haven’t made a strong showing they are likely to succeed on their efforts to overturn the decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that prevents them from enforcing the rule in the state, the court said Wednesday.

The Health and Human Services Department’s final rule, adopted under Title X, also requires grant recipients who provide ...