Planned Parenthood Federation of America
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
For Immediate Release: February 16, 2023
Contact: Planned Parenthood Media Office, 212-261-4433, media.office@ppfa.org;
Audrey Sandusky, NFPRHA, asandusky@nfprha.org, 937-620-1082
U.S. Department of Justice Appeals Federal Court Decision to Mandate Parental Consent for Youth to Obtain Birth Control
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Justice appealed the ruling in Deanda v. Becerra, which held that it violates Texas state law and the U.S. Constitution for minors to get their birth control through the Title X program without parental consent. The ruling departed from the decades-old precedent of allowing young people to confidentially get basic health care they need through the Title X family planning program — the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control, cancer screenings, and other sexual and reproductive health care to people with low incomes.
"Young patients in need of confidential family planning and sexual health services should never be denied care simply to further an ideological agenda,” said Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA). “Forced parental notification and involvement undercuts the integrity of the Title X program and creates barriers to care and decision-making. We fully support action by the Biden administration and the Department of Justice today to fight back against an egregious district court decision to eviscerate longstanding Title X program protections that ensure young people can access the care they need from providers they trust.”
“It is shameful how anti-abortion activists will stop at nothing to take away access to sexual and reproductive health care,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “It was never just about abortion — they’re coming for birth control, gender affirming care, and the full suite of sexual and reproductive health care. Young people deserve access to the health care they need to make their own decisions about their bodies, lives, and futures. And let’s not forget that these attacks disproportionately hurt Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, people with low incomes, and people living in rural communities. We are fortunate that the U.S. Justice Department and the Biden administration are dedicated to fighting back. We are grateful for this appeal and look forward to our ongoing work with them to protect access to health care.”
Read Planned Parenthood’s statement on the ruling from the Northern District of Texas here.
Read more about active litigation on sexual and reproductive health care here.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.
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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.