FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2019
Contact: Kat Mavengere, kmavengere_consultant@nfprha.org

House Approves Historic Increase for Title X

WASHINGTON, DC – The US House of Representatives today passed a four-bill minibus for fiscal year (FY) 2020, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill. The bill includes $400 million for the Title X family planning program, an increase of $113.5 million (40%) from the Title X program’s existing appropriation of $286.5 million. If approved by the Senate and signed by the president, this would be the largest increase in the program’s history.

The bill would also prohibit implementation of the Trump administration’s Title X final rule and reinstate a 2016 regulation that would bar grantees from withholding program funding in response to objections to the reproductive health services, including abortion, that providers offer outside of Title X.

“This bill would dramatically expand access to family planning and sexual health care that can help prevent unintended pregnancy, decrease STD and HIV incidence, and improve the health of communities across the country,” said Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association. “We are grateful the House has stepped up its commitment to strengthen the Title X network and protect patient care by meeting NFPRHA’s bold request of $400 million for the program.”

The administration’s unlawful Title X rule is currently prohibited from taking effect by four federal judges. This congressional action would reinforce Congress’ intent to allow the program to continue operating as Congress originally intended it, regardless of the outcome of the legal fight.

“Congress, alongside the courts that blocked the Title X rule, must protect Title X so that family planning providers can continue to deliver on their mission of providing patients high-quality and confidential family planning and sexual health care for all,” said Coleman.

###

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.