Dad’s Right to Know at Issue in Suit Over Family Planning Rule

US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s argument that Alexander Deanda shouldn’t have been allowed to proceed with a lawsuit challenging the agency’s Title X confidentiality rule received a rocky reception from three Fifth Circuit judges Monday.

Courtney Dixon, the US Justice Department attorney representing Becerra, appeared to have a difficult time convincing Judges Priscilla Richman, Catharina Haynes, and Stuart Kyle Duncan that the Texas father lacked standing to challenge a federal directive that prohibits taxpayer-funded family planning programs from telling minor clients’ parents about their visits.

Deanda said in his complaint that he has three daughters under age ...