For Immediate Release: July 21, 2022 
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, asandusky@nfprha.org  

Title X Funding Bill Blocked in the Senate 

Washington, DC -- Today, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) blocked a unanimous consent request to pass the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act. The legislation from Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) would establish $500 million of mandatory funding annually for the Title X family planning program for the next ten years, protect highly qualified providers’ ability to participate in the program, and ensure patients’ access to nondirective and complete options counseling. The following is a statement from Audrey Sandusky, Senior Director, Policy & Communications, at the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA). 

“NFPRHA strongly supports the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, a historic investment in the Title X family planning program that would provide critical funding to a network of health care providers that deliver high-quality health care to communities across the country. The funding is desperately needed to rebuild the nation’s family planning program and restore access to care following years of inadequate funding and a barrage of ideologically motivated attacks and restrictions. 

“NFPRHA is grateful for Sens. Smith, Murray, Warren, and other co-sponsors for their support of this important legislation and urges the Senate to use any other legislative vehicle to provide this needed support for the Title X family planning program as soon as possible.” 

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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.