NCL’s statement on Trump Administration’s proposed rule on Title X – National Consumers League

August 1, 2018

Media contact: National Consumers League – Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org, (412) 945-3242 or Taun Sterling, tauns@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832

Washington, DC—In response to the Trump Administration’s proposed rule on the Title X health care program, the National Consumers League (NCL) has issued the following statement, which may be attributed to Sally Greenberg, NCL executive director:

As a long-time supporter of the Title X Family Planning Program, the National Consumers League (NCL) has significant concerns about the Trump Administration’s Title X “Compliance with Statutory Program Requirements” proposed rule, that would restrict the ability of millions of patients to obtain contraception and preventative care. The proposed rule would also make it significantly more difficult for physicians to explain reproductive health care options, such as family planning services.

NCL strongly believes that the Title X Family Planning Program is integral in providing women and teenagers with reproductive and preventive healthcare services across the United States. In fact, Title X centers have helped to prevent 1 million unintended pregnancies each year. These centers are important because they provide a wide range of preventive healthcare services, such as: wellness exams, birth control, contraception education, and lifesaving cervical and breast cancer screenings.

If HHS implements the proposed rule, there will be extremely detrimental effects on patients in regions of the United States with limited access to health care, as well as economically distressed adults and teenagers without health insurance. If implemented, the proposed rule would seriously restrict the ability of clinicians to explain contraceptive and reproductive healthcare options to their patients. Healthcare education and information is key in order for consumers to make informed choices.

Furthermore, NCL is very concerned about the implications of this proposed rule when it comes to the millions of patients that use Title X services. This proposed rule could result in 40 percent of patients that currently visit Title X centers losing their healthcare services.

NCL urges HHS to analyze all the possible effects that this proposed rule could have on vulnerable populations in the United States before making such sweeping changes to the Title X health care program.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit https://nclnet.org.