When I registered to fundraise for Every Mother Counts, I did so because I simply wanted all women to have safe and healthy pregnancies…to not have to face unnecessary barriers like transportation, basic supplies, and access to qualified care providers. But the more I read, the more I learn there’s SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN when it comes to women’s health. It inspired me to start researching policies and really dive into the state of women’s healthcare in the United States.
I recently stumbled on information about a proposed Title X “gag rule” from our current administration. It involves changes to requirements for health clinics that receive Title X funding, and now that I (as a complete “beginner” when it comes to understanding policies and laws) have learned more about it, I felt it important to share an unbiased presentation of the facts as I understand them. I feel a strong need to help promote education on the rules that affect women and families in our country.
(The first thing I learned is that reading one or two articles doesn’t always provide clear or completely accurate information – and sometimes it’s all conflicting.)
So, what’s Title X? (X= ten in case you were wondering, and yessss I had to look it up.)
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
“For more than 40 years, Title X family planning clinics have played a critical role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services for millions of low-income or uninsured individuals and others. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services.”
Basically, grants are given to support these places who offer health services to low-income women and families. Places that use these grants are clinics like Planned Parenthood and other local health centers. If you look at the list provided by the DHHS as of June 2018, there are 182 pages listing the organizations that receive funding from Title X grants and all of the locations where these services are provided.
One of these changes is being called a “gag rule” because it would essentially stop doctors from discussing certain options with their patients. Mainly, abortion.
The proposed change, directly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
1008 – The Prohibition of Abortion
None of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning.
From what I’ve read, this means if a pregnant woman comes into a Title X funded clinic, the physician, nurse, etc cannot counsel or provide information on abortion as an option, including recommendations for places to get one if the woman is unsure about her options and wants to discuss. If the woman comes in 100% sure she wants an abortion, only then can they can provide a list of places. This list must include some places that do not offer abortions.
You can read the proposed changes here: Title X Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Stances of those opposed to the proposed changes:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American College of Physicians
According to the AMA, “high-quality medical care relies on honest, unfiltered conversations between patients and their physicians. Gag orders that restrict the ability of physicians to explain all options to their patients and refer them—whatever their health care needs—compromise this relationship and force physicians and nurses to withhold information that their patients need to make decisions about their care.”
“In addition, the Title X program ensures that every person — regardless of where they live, how much money they make, their background, or whether or not they have health insurance — has access to basic, preventive reproductive health care, such as birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and exams. This national program serves 4 million people each year — many of whom would otherwise be unable to access this health care. ”
Stances of those in support of the proposed changes:
According to pro-life group the Susan B. Anthony List, “this action does not ban abortion or abortion referral in the private sector. It only governs the types of centers that the federal government chooses to fund using taxpayer dollars. The result of this policy is simply to separate the Title X network of family planning providers from abortionists like Planned Parenthood – the nation’s largest abortion chain. By shifting funding to clinic sites that do not perform or refer for abortion, you will send a strong message that abortion is not family planning consistent with the law creating the program.”
Other Relevant Articles
New York Times: Trump rule would bar some abortion advice at federally funded clinics
Washington Post: Is is a gag rule after all? A closer look at changes to Title X funding regarding abortion
Fox News: Do Trump’s plans for Title X implement a ‘gag rule’? A look at the proposal
NPR: Proposed changes to Title X funding likely to hurt low-income women
