Texas Judge Strikes Down Abortion Privacy Rule

A federal judge in Texas, Matthew Kacsmaryk, has struck down a Biden administration rule intended to protect the privacy of patients seeking abortions and gender-affirming care, ruling that the Department of Health and Human Services overstepped its authority under HIPAA. The decision holds that HHS cannot grant special protections to certain health information without explicit Congressional approval. Critics argue this ruling could allow states with abortion or gender-affirming care bans to access patients' private health records for investigations. The move is part of a broader rollback of reproductive healthcare protections following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. Separately, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to rescind federal guidance requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortions in life-threatening situations. These legal and administrative actions are expected to increase uncertainty and legal risks for both patients and providers nationwide.