FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2020
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, (202) 344-5805, asandusky@nfprha.org
HHS Funding Measure Falls Short of Expectations
Last night, the US House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) released its draft fiscal year (FY) 2021 bill, which includes language to block the unlawful Title X rule but flat funds the program. The following is a statement from Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA).
WASHINGTON, DC - “While the House subcommittee’s draft funding bill reflects Congress’ ongoing commitment to public health, it does not include the increases that are necessary to meet the growing family planning and sexual health needs for millions of people across the country. We had hoped to see an increase in funding for the Title X family planning program, but the draft bill flat funds the program, which has long been underfunded. When Congress commits more funding to Title X, many more individuals have access to high-quality family planning and sexual health care offered by expert and trusted family planning providers throughout the nation.
“The funding bill also leaves in place the Hyde amendment, which perpetuates disparities in abortion access by limiting the use of federal funds to pay for abortion care. We should be expanding, not limiting, access to critical health care services, starting with introducing funding bills without the Hyde amendment.
“We are, however, pleased that the bill includes a provision to block the unlawful Title X rule, a critical protection for a program that provides affordable, high-quality health services to millions of people every year, many of whom do not otherwise have access to care. This action would restore the family planning program’s ability to deliver on its mission of providing patient-centered, confidential family planning and sexual health care for all, regardless of patients’ incomes or health insurance status.
“We strongly urge the Senate to adopt the House Title X language with an increase in funding to $400 million when it crafts its funding bill.”
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NFPRHA is a membership organization representing publicly funded family planning providers and administrators nationwide. NFPRHA advances and elevates the importance of family planning in the nation’s health care system and promotes and supports the work of family planning providers and administrators, especially those in the safety net. For more information, visit nationalfamilyplanning.org.