The Nation - News from Feb. 2, 1988

The state of New York and the American Civil Liberties Union announced legal challenges to new rules, issued Friday by the Department of Health and Human Services and scheduled to take effect March 3, that prohibit family planning clinics from receiving federal funds if they provide advice or other assistance that would help women obtain abortions. In New York state, 41 clinics would be affected, officials said. The state’s legal challenge asserts the regulations violate the intent of Congress and unconstitutionally restrict the rights of patients and medical practitioners. The ACLU said it would file a separate suit on behalf of Planned Parenthood of New York City and other private agencies that currently receive funds under Title X of the 1970 Public Health Service Act.