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Washington leaders denounce Trump plan to restrict abortion services

Trump is seeking a new rule restricting abortion and Washington state leaders are fighting against it
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee (Credit: KING)

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and other state leaders denounced Friday a proposed new rule from President Donald Trump would lead to a loss of funding for those organizations like Planned Parenthood that provide abortions or refer patients to clinics that do.

The rule would ban organizations from providing abortions or referrals if they are in the same facility as other services that rely on federal funds.

White House Administration officials said the rule would ensure that federal funds aren't used for abortions. Social service agencies say it is designed to deny abortions and counseling to women who cannot afford it.

Inslee said it is an attack on women's access to life-saving healthcare.

"President Trump is forcing doctors, nurses, family planning clinics, community health centers, and hospitals to deny referrals for treatment and fully legal medical services to patients," the governor wrote in a press release. "Women should never have to question whether they are receiving comprehensive, medically accurate information about their care."

Attorney General Bob Ferguson also joined the contention saying the real effect of the proposal only hurts thousands of Washington women who rely on a variety of services.

"I will be carefully reviewing this proposal with my legal team and evaluating our next steps," Ferguson wrote in a press release.

The new rule is in direct contrast to the Reproductive Parity Act passed earlier this year in Washington state that allows insurance coverage for reproductive care.

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