On June 1st, the Trump Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services published a proposed rule which would prohibit facilities receiving Title X grants from referring for or performing abortions.
Title X is a federal grant program dedicated to expanding access to family planning services for low-income and uninsured individuals. Under current regulations, an abortion provider may be a recipient of Title X funds. The Trump Administration’s proposal aims to change this by requiring a physical and financial separation from entities which perform and refer for abortions and accept Title X funds.
Naturally, abortion-choice advocates like NARAL and Planned Parenthood’s Action Fund are in opposition to the rule, incorrectly claiming it “gags” providers from discussing abortion with patients. However, Planned Parenthood receives $50-$60 million annually from Title X grants, making those grants Planned Parenthood’s second-largest source of income after Medicaid.
The comment period for the proposed rule is open until July 31, 2018. Any member of the public may comment expressing support or opposition to the rule in its entry in the Federal Register here by clicking “submit a formal comment.” Any comments submitted will be made publicly available.
We encourage all pro-lifers to comment and express their support for prohibiting Title X funds to be used for abortion providers by July 31st!
Katherine Wheeler is a wife and mom living in the Twin Cities area. She worked for Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Her policy expertise is health and entitlements.
