OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The state has succeeded in its attempt to prevent the Trump administration from cutting funding to Planned Parenthood.

State Attorney General Nick Brown says he’s secured a preliminary injunction that will block a recent rule change he claims illegally targets the medical provider.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Washington and 24 other states sued the Trump administration in July over legislation that blocks Medicaid reimbursements for services provided by Planned Parenthood and other nonprofit healthcare providers.

According to the AG’s office, nearly half of all patients at Planned Parenthood use Medicaid in Washington.

The states argue that the lost funding would make it harder for millions of low-income Americans to access critical services like cancer screenings, birth control and STD testing.

Wednesday’s ruling was put on hold for a week to give the federal government a chance to appeal.