Washington, D.C. – The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to freeze funding for the Title X family planning program, a move that will have devastating consequences for millions of individuals with low incomes — including BIPOC, disabled, LGTBQI+, and young people — who rely on these essential health services. This decision threatens the health and well-being of communities nationwide, exacerbating inequities in access to contraception, STI testing and treatment, and other critical sexual and reproductive health services.
“For more than 50 years, Title X has been a cornerstone of sexual and reproductive health care in the United States, ensuring that low-income individuals can access high-quality, affordable care,” said Christina Piecora, Senior Policy Analyst at NHeLP. “This funding freeze is a direct attack on the most underserved communities, particularly people of color, rural populations, and young people, who already face systemic barriers to health care. The administration is prioritizing ideology over public health, and the consequences will be dire.”
Title X is the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing comprehensive family planning and preventive health services to those who might otherwise go without care. Without federal funding, clinics across the country, many of which are already struggling due to chronic underfunding and prior policy restrictions, will be forced to close, reduce services, or turn away patients in need. The impact will be most severely felt by communities already facing health care inequities. This is especially concerning in states that have refused to expand Medicaid — many of which are in the South — and have high numbers of uninsured individuals.
“NHeLP remains committed to fighting for equitable access to health care and will continue to challenge policies that harm low-income communities and restrict access to sexual and reproductive care. We call on lawmakers, advocates, and the public to join us in demanding the restoration of Title X funding to ensure that everyone — regardless of income, race, or geography — can access the care they need,” concluded Piecora.
Learn more about NHeLP’s advocacy for sexual and reproductive health care at www.healthlaw.org/sexual-reproductive-health and our family planning and contraceptive resources here.