FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 15, 2018
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-344-5805, asandusky@nfprha.org  

NFPRHA Applauds 20 Attorneys General for Protecting Title X Family Planning Program
 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, 20 Attorneys General have jointly filed an amicus brief with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in support of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association's (NFPRHA) request to stop the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from making dangerous changes to Title X family planning program, the nation’s only dedicated federal funding source for family planning and sexual health care. The brief highlights the important role Title X and its network of providers play in states and communities, and the harm that these changes would cause to the states if HHS is allowed to proceed.

On May 2, NFPRHA, represented by the ACLU, and three Planned Parenthood affiliates filed suit to challenge the Trump administration’s plans to undermine the Title X family planning program, which provides care to four million low-income people each year. The changes, outlined in a funding announcement issued in February, removed all clinical standards for family planning care and instead encouraged non-family planning activities as well as abstinence-only before marriage and family participation in a family planning visit. The following is a press statement from Clare Coleman, President and CEO of NFPRHA.

“For nearly 50 years, the Title X family planning program has played a major role in improving the public’s health, providing patients with high-quality family planning and sexual health care, including contraception, breast and cervical cancer screening, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, and infertility screening. Thanks in part to the work of Title X-funded providers across the country, our nation is currently at a 30-year low for unintended pregnancy and an all-time low for teenage pregnancy. However, under the Trump administration’s newly proposed changes, we risk reversing those important trends.

“This administration is trying to deny people the full range of contraceptive care they need. As a result, patients will be at a greater risk of unintended pregnancy and poor birth outcomes and more vulnerable to STDs, which will drive up costs across the entire health system.

“We are grateful for the Attorneys General for standing on the side of public health by defending the integrity and intent of the nation’s family planning program.”

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The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) is a membership organization representing providers and administrators committed to helping people get the family planning education and care they need to make the best choices for themselves and their loved ones. NFPRHA works to enhance the ability of thousands of nurse practitioners, doctors, and other health professionals to provide high-quality family planning care through training and advocacy. For more information, visit nationalfamilyplanning.org.