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A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 23 February 2019
Trump sets up abortion obstacles, barring clinic referrals

By RICARDO ALONSO- ly separate and financially
ZALDIVAR and DAVID separate.”
CRARY Religious conservatives see
Associated Press the administration’s action
WASHINGTON (AP) — The as a way to break down
Trump administration on Fri- what they call an indirect
day set up new obstacles taxpayer subsidy of abor-
for women seeking abor- tion providers.
tions, barring taxpayer- Tony Perkins, president of
funded family planning the Family Research Coun-
clinics from making abor- cil, called it “a major step
tion referrals. The new pol- toward the ultimate goal of
icy is certain to be chal- ending taxpayers’ forced
lenged in court. partnership with the abor-
The final rule released Fri- tion industry.”
day by the Health and Hu- The regulation was pub-
man Services Department lished Friday on an HHS
also would prohibit feder- website. It’s not official un-
ally funded family planning til it appears in the Federal
clinics from being housed Register and the depart-
in the same locations as ment said there could be
abortion providers, and re- “minor editorial changes.”
quire stricter financial sep- A department official con-
aration. Clinic staff would In this May 22, 2018 file photo, President Donald Trump looks out at the audience during a speech firmed it was the final ver-
still be permitted to discuss at the Susan B. Anthony List 11th Annual Campaign for Life Gala at the National Building Museum sion.
abortion with clients. in Washington. Known as Title X, the family-
The move was decried Associated Press planning program serves
by women’s groups and taxpayer funds to pay for from referring women for Planned Parenthood and about 4 million women an-
praised by religious con- abortions except in cases abortions “even if your life other groups represent- nually through indepen-
servatives, but it could be of rape, incest, or to save depended on it.” ing the clinics say the new dent clinics, many oper-
some time before women the life of the woman. House Speaker Nancy Pe- requirements for physi- ated by Planned Parent-
served by the federal fam- Planned Parenthood, losi, D-Calif., declared: “Re- cal separation of facilities hood affiliates, which serve
ily program feel the full im- whose affiliates are major publicans must end their re- would be costly and all but about 40 percent of all
pact. providers of family plan- lentless assault on women’s impossible to fulfill. Planned clients. The grant program
Women’s groups, organiza- ning services as well as health care and rights.” Parenthood said the ad- costs taxpayers about $260
tions representing the clin- abortions, said the adminis- It’s a gag rule “for all intents ministration is making an- million a year.
ics, and Democratic-led tration is trying to impose a and purposes,” said the other attempt to drive it Leaders of health associa-
states are expected to sue “gag rule,” and launched American Medical Asso- out of business, after efforts tions representing black
to block the policy from go- a full campaign to block it. ciation. to deny funding failed in and Latino health care pro-
ing into effect. Administra- “I want our patients to know “The patient-physician rela- Congress. viders and patients joined
tion officials told abortion this — we will fight through tionship relies on trust, open White House counselor Kel- Wen at a news briefing to
opponents on a call Friday every avenue so this illegal, conversation and informed lyanne Conway scoffed at decry the new rule They said
that they expect legal ac- unethical rule never goes decision making and the that argument. “They’ve women from their commu-
tion, according to a partici- into effect,” said Planned government should not be been saying for years they nities make up more than
pant. Parenthood’s president, Dr. telling physicians what they don’t co-mingle their funds, half the beneficiaries of Ti-
Abortion is a legal medi- Leana Wen. can and cannot say to their so this should be easy for tle X grants and would be
cal procedure, but federal She said the new policy patients,” the AMA said in a them,” she told reporters at disproportionately harmed
laws prohibit the use of would prevent doctors statement. the White House. “Physical- by the changes.q

AP source: Mueller report not expected next week

By MICHAEL BALSAMO come, though Mueller is was “NO COLLUSION”
and ERIC TUCKER showing signs of conclud- with Russia.
Associated Press ing his probe into Russian Under Justice Department
WASHINGTON (AP) — Spe- interference in the 2016 guidelines, Mueller will
cial counsel Robert Muel- election and ties to the produce a confidential re-
ler’s report on the Russia Trump campaign. port to Attorney General
investigation is not expect- President Donald Trump William Barr that explains
ed to be delivered to the will be in Asia next week his decisions to pursue or
Justice Department next seeking a nuclear deal decline prosecutions.
week, a senior depart- with North Korean leader Barr will then prepare his
ment official told The As- Kim Jong Un. own report that would
sociated Press on Friday. Since the special coun- be released to Congress.
The official could not dis- sel’s appointment in May He has said he intends to
cuss the matter publicly 2017, Trump has repeat- share some information
and spoke to the AP on edly tried to undermine with the public, though it’s
In this June 21, 2017, file photo, special counsel Robert condition of anonymity. It Mueller’s work, casting the unclear whether Mueller’s
Mueller departs after a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington. was not immediately clear probe as a “witch hunt” actual report will ever be
Robert Mueller’s Russia probe has to end with a report.
Associated Press when the report might and proclaiming there made public.q