What We're Reading: Title X Decision; Missouri Abortion Clinic Defies State; WHO Removes Opioid Guidelines

Trump Family Planning Rule Will Go Into Effect

Missouri Abortion Clinic Won’t Comply With Pelvic Exam Requirement

WHO Removes Opioid Guidelines Following Claims of Industry Influence

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration’s family planning restrictions can go into effect as various lawsuits over the rule play out, reported Politico. The panel of 3 judges granted the administration’s request to lift national injunctions ordered by lower federal courts in Oregon and Washington state, as well as a statewide injunction in California. The panel said that the administration will likely win the legal battle over the Title X family planning program because the Supreme Court upheld similar rules nearly 30 years ago, although they were then reversed by the Clinton administration before taking effect.Missouri’s only abortion clinic said it will defy the state by refusing to perform a required pelvic exam days before an abortion, calling the exam requirement “disrespectful and dehumanizing.” According to The Associated Press, a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman confirmed that as of Thursday, the St. Louis clinic no longer performs the exam during a consultation at least 72 hours before an abortion. The spokeswoman also said that the exam is not required by state law but is an intrusive health department regulation.After US lawmakers alleged that 2 of the World Health Care Organization’s (WHO’s) prescription guidelines for opioids were influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, WHO has withdrawn the guidelines. According to The Wall Street Journal, the organization said it was discontinuing the guidelines “in light of new scientific evidence” and that the move will also “address any issues of conflicts of interest of the experts that have been raised.” The 2 sets of guidelines focused on the availability and accessibility of controlled medicine and the treatment for persisting pain in children with illnesses.