Democratic states, counties, sue Trump admin over religious protections rule

A coalition of 23 Democrat-led states, counties and municipalities is suing the Trump administration for a final rule that protects health care providers who refuse to provide care on the basis of their religious beliefs.

The lawsuit, announced Tuesday, is led by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) and seeks to have the rule declared unconstitutional, as well as a court order to prevent it from going into effect.

It is the second lawsuit against the administration’s so-called conscience protection rule. San Francisco announced a similar lawsuit earlier this month.

The new complaint called the final rule “an unprecedented and unlawful expansion” of nearly 30 federal statutes that will prevent the plaintiffs from administering their own health care systems.