New Trump Gag Rule Faces Widespread Opposition
By MUUSJN on Sunday, February 24th, 2019
BACKGROUND
On Friday, February 21st, the Trump Administration issued a rule through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that cuts off Title X family planning funds to organizations that provide abortions or tell women where they could get one. The rule prohibits federally funded family planning clinics from being housed in the same locations as abortion providers and would require stricter financial separation. This rule could strip millions of dollars from Planned Parenthood and direct it toward religiously based, anti-abortion groups. The new rule removes a requirement that programs counsel women on “all reproductive options”, a change that could make anti-abortion providers eligible to get Title X funds. These religious groups are more likely to emphasize abstinence and discourage use of birth control. Planned Parenthood serves 41% of the 4 million people who benefit annually from the $286 million Title X family planning fund. As a progressive faith group, MUUSJN strongly opposes this gag rule. Women should be able get reproductive care they need without religious right dogma. WHAT OTHER GROUPS THINK 1. More than 500,000 Americans voiced their opposition to the new rule by submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;2. The American Medical Association, National Medical Association (African-American physicians), National Hispanic Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, & American College of Physicians oppose this rule; 3. More than 200 members of Congress and 100 public health organizations have come out in opposition to the gag rule; and 4. Dr. Leana Wen, Planned Parenthood President, said “the gag rule is unconscionable and unethical. This rule compromises the oath I took to serve patients and help them make the best decision for their own health”.
REDUCES ACCESS TO CARE
This rule could put access to free or low cost basic health care, such as birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and cancer screenings, out of reach for some under-served populations, including rural communities and people of color. Planned Parenthood provides care on a no or low cost basis for low income people. Several medical organizations predicted that the new rule would would ultimately leave large numbers of patients, especially low-income and minority women, without access to basic care.
THIS IS GOING TO COURT
The new rule is “almost certain to be challenged in federal court” according to an article in the February 22nd New York Times. Click HERE to read more. The AMA and 15 governor’s have threatened to take this rule to court to block it from taking effect. Most of the changes required by the new regulations will be phased in within 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. Clinics will have 120 days to comply with the requirement that family planning and abortion services are kept financially separate and a year to comply with the physical separation requirement. Justice will be served if the gag rule is blocked!
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Category: News |