Texas sues Biden administration to block abortion privacy rule

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

09/05/24 9:29 PM ET


The state of Texas sued the Biden administration in a bid to block a rule designed to protect the privacy of women living in states that ban abortion who travel over state lines for the procedure.

In a suit filed Wednesday in federal court in Texas, the state asked a judge to strike down a rule issued in June that strengthened the Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule regarding reproductive health. The rule prohibits the disclosure of protected health information related to reproductive health care in certain circumstances.

In the suit, filed against the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Texas argued that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which governs how federal agencies develop and issue regulations. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued the rule would unlawfully restrict state law enforcement investigations.

“This new rule actively undermines Congress’s clear statutory meaning when HIPAA was passed, and it reflects the Biden Administration’s disrespect for the law,” Paxton said. “The federal government is attempting to undermine Texas’s law enforcement capabilities, and I will not allow this to happen.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4865043-texas-biden-administration-abortion-privacy-rule/

[captain queeg]

1. WTF Texas?

[Lonestarblue]

4. Well, Texas can't track and prosecute women who travel to other states for abortions without private medical data.

Invasion of privacy is nothing new to Texas Republicans. Nor is the desire to set up a police state to control all reproductive healthcare Texas women are not allowed to have. After all, in their minds the only women seeking abortions are sexually promiscuous Jezebels who just want to use abortion as birth control, and their Bible gives them the right to punish such women.

[LymphocyteLover]

7. Texas Republicans' actions around abortion never fail to completely infuriate me and make me nauseated

It's completely cruel and violates human rights.

[captain queeg]

11. Glad I don't live there though I know not everyone is like that.

[ArkansasDemocrat1]

14. Texas is across my border. I don't travel there. I don't buy things from there

I boycott Texas as much as I can.

Note to the Texas tourism folks: how's the data been since Abbatior took office? Does being a toxic state increase visitors?

[ck4829]

2. Undermining who again? The same Texas LE that stood around and did nothing during a school shooting?

Don't suddenly get all tough when it's a woman with a "suspicious miscarriage", Texas.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

3. Karma's a bitch

And she’s coming for you, Ken Paxton. And she won’t be gentle.

[LymphocyteLover]

8. God, I hope so. He is easily one of the top 5 most evil people in this country

[COL Mustard]

5. If they filed it in the Northern District, as I suspect they would,

I'm sure Judge Kacsmaryk will act by the end of today to uphold Paxton's position.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. The Republican party, while claiming to be the party of small government, works to put the government in your pants.

[LymphocyteLover]

9. fucking Texas-- I so hope the people of that messed up state rise up against this evil regime this November

[modrepub]

10. How Isn't (Private) Health Care Interstate Commerce?

So how can TX regulate people traveling over state lines for their health care since I believe that falls into the realm of interstate commerce, which no state has the right to regulate? WTF!?!?

[BumRushDaShow]

15. They can't

But it makes for good RW talking points and a waste of Texas taxpayer money.

The problem is that since the media refuses to include Civics 101 in their reporting, people actually believe such a thing is legal.

[mountain grammy]

12. Clarence and Ginni are drooling

They can’t wait to get this case They and the other wing nut “judges” are gonna show us women who’s boss.

[Trueblue Texan]

13. Like Ken Paxton should be lecturing anyone about respect for the law. Please. nt