RICHMOND, Va. A divided federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a lower courts decision blocking the enforcement in Maryland of Trump administration rules that prohibit taxpayer-funded family planning clinics in the Title X program from making abortion referrals.
The decision, which came in a lawsuit filed by Baltimore city officials, means Maryland remains the only state where enforcement of the rules is enjoined.
Abortion opponents and religious conservatives have argued Title X has long been used to indirectly subsidize abortion providers.
He said in a statement that it would protect thousands of patients who rely on the program for contraception and other family planning services.
Judge Julius Richardson, who was nominated by President Donald Trump, wrote a dissenting opinion and was joined by five other judges.