What We're Reading: Court Upholds Title X Rule; Lung Illness Tied to e-Cigarette Use; Doctors Warn Against Immigration Rule

Court Denies Planned Parenthood Bid to Halt Family Planning Rule

CDC Investigates Lung Illnesses Linked to e-Cigarette Use

Doctors Speak Out Against New Immigration Rule

A federal appeals court rejected efforts by Planned Parenthood to block the Trump administration from banning abortion referrals by federally funded family planning clinics, according to Politico. Planned Parenthood previously declared their intention to leave Title X, the federal family planning program, unless a court decision froze what it calls a “gag rule” on its providers. The women’s health network said it will decide its next steps today.The CDC is investigating a “cluster” of lung illnesses potentially linked to e-cigarette use after related cases were reported in 14 states. Reuters reported that the CDC is working with health departments in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Indiana, and Minnesota on the investigation as more information is needed to determine whether these illnesses were caused by e-cigarette usage. Since June 28, 94 possible cases of severe lung illnesses tied to vaping, primarily among teenagers and young adults, were reported by states.Doctors and public health experts are warning of poor health and rising costs that they believe will come from a Trump Administration plan to deny green cards to immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, and other forms of public assistance. The Associated Press reported that 2 California counties and attorneys general in 13 states have already sued saying the changes will increase public health risks. Roughly 544,000 people apply annually for green cards with approximately 382,000 falling into categories subject to the new review.