A federal judge in New York tossed the Trump administration's "conscience rule" that would allow health plans and providers to refuse to cover or perform services like abortion, contraception or gender transition procedures that they oppose on religious or moral grounds.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Engelmayer sided with 26 plaintiff states, municipalities, providers and advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood, affirming their argument that the policy could threaten funding they've long relied on and drastically disrupt the health care system.

Although the legal arguments focused on funding and operations of health care providers, the Trump administration policy and its potential impact on women and LGBTQ people has been highly controversial — and that's where the winning plaintiffs focused.

“Health care is a basic right that should never be subject to political games," said New York Attorney General Tish James, who brought the case. "Once again, the courts have blocked the Trump Administration from implementing a discriminatory rule that would only hurt Americans."

The ruling is part of an ongoing series of legal battles as administration officials boost socially conservative policies in federally funded health programs. Read more via Politico