Texas Challenges Biden Administration's Abortion Privacy Rule

Texas has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration to block a rule protecting the privacy of women seeking out-of-state abortions. The rule prevents healthcare providers from providing authorities information about legal reproductive healthcare services. The conflict centers around HIPAA regulations, with Texas claiming overreach.

In a major legal confrontation, Texas has initiated a lawsuit aimed at dismantling a rule introduced by the Biden administration designed to protect the privacy of women who seek abortions across state lines.

The legal filing, made on Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas, demands a federal judge annul the rule which forbids healthcare providers and insurers from divulging to state law enforcement any information about reproductive healthcare that is lawful in the jurisdiction where it was rendered. President Joe Biden had announced this rule in April, emphasizing that no individual's medical records should be weaponized against them.

This move is a reaction to actions by certain states with stringent abortion bans, including Texas, to impede out-of-state abortion travel. Although no criminal or civil cases have surfaced yet, compliance with the new rule is mandated by December. Texas' lawsuit also targets a separate 2000 rule under HIPAA, claiming federal overreach and asserting that these rules hinder state authority in conducting investigations.

(With inputs from agencies.)