State of Texas v. Department of Health and Human Services et al.

Docket No.
5:24-cv-00204
District Court
Texas Northern

Goal

  • Block enforcement of an agency action
  • Declaration that an agency action is unlawful

Litigation Content

Why this Matters:

The plaintiff challenges a federal rule from 2000 that established nationwide standards for protected health information, as well as a 2024 regulation that applies these privacy protections to information associated with reproductive health care. The plaintiff argues that both rules violate the Administrative Procedure Act.

Potential Impact:

Women, their health care providers, and their loved ones could lose the benefit of heightened privacy protections in every state. While health care providers must still comply with long-standing HIPAA protections, the loss of privacy protections could further undermine access to a wide range of reproductive health care. This is especially true for women living in states with abortion bans who face fear, uncertainty, and barriers to obtaining reproductive care.

Litigation Information

Current Status

Case stayed

Important Date

Joint Status Report Due