The Trump administration isn't doing so well when it comes to rulemaking. Just last week, a judge shot down a rule that would have required immigrants to show proof of health care coverage before applying for a visa. Similarly, a rule that would take enrollment in public assistance programs like Medicare into account for green card holders was also struck down.

The latest? The administration's "conscience rule," which would have allowed medical providers to deny care based on religious grounds. The rule, announced in May and scheduled to take effect later this month, was immediately met with backlash and legal challenges from at least 22 states and several municipalities.

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer in Manhattan deemed the rule unconstitutionally coercive, as it would give the Department of Health and Human Services significant ability to withhold funding from hospitals and providers not in compliance.

"Wherever the outermost line where persuasion gives way to coercion lies, the threat to pull all HHS funding here crosses it," Engelmayer wrote, adding that the rulemaking "was sufficiently shot through with glaring legal defects."

Critics worried the rule would curb access to health care for LGBTQ patients, and states worried they wouldn't be able to provide effective health care.

"Everyone deserves to access the health care they need," Planned Parenthood acting president Alexis McGill Johnson said of the decision. "This rule put patients' needs last."

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Judge strikes down Trump administration's 'conscience rule'

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