Tell HHS: No Gag Rule!

The Title X family planning program is in jeopardy. And today is the last day to tell HHS why it needs to be protected.

The Trump administration’s Title X domestic gag rule would prohibit Title X clinics from providing referrals for or performing abortion services in the same facilities where Title X-funded services are provided.

The proposed rule would:

• Interfere with the doctor-patient relationship
• Deny Title X patients information they need to stay healthy
• Exacerbate existing health disparities
• Threaten patient confidentiality for minors, causing many young patients to avoid seeking care altogether

These changes spell disaster for our nation’s public health and jeopardize the rights of millions of low-income individuals, especially young people and people of color.

We must protect Title X. Please join SIECUS in submitting a comment to HHS opposing this rule change by 11:59 PM (EDT).

Not sure what to say? Copy and paste our suggested comments below:

Dear HHS Secretary Azar,

I submit this comment in response to President Trump’s announcement of a “gag rule” on health care providers that participate in the Title X Family Planning Program. Title X provides vital sexual and reproductive health services to more than four million people each year, and serves as a vital source of affordable health care for populations that face significant barriers to care.

This far-reaching and radical proposed rule would interfere with the doctor-patient relationship and deny Title X patients information they need to stay healthy. Furthermore, the rule would exacerbate existing health disparities. Finally, the rule threatens patient confidentiality for minors and could cause many young patients to avoid seeking care at Title X facilities. The combined result of these changes would be disastrous for our nation’s public health.

Title X serves the very communities that face the most significant barriers to care; 78% of Title X patients have incomes below 150% of the poverty line. Approximately 21% of Title X patients identify as Black or African American, and 32% identify as Hispanic or Latinx. Patients in rural areas face geographic barriers to accessing family planning services. Without Title X providers, many of these rural residents could lose access to reproductive care entirely. Youth, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and other marginalized groups stand to lose access to the abortion care they need and deserve because of this proposed rule. I ask HHS to fully evaluate the impact of this proposed rule on groups that already face significant health disparities and barriers to care. The proposed rule violates the rights of and gravely harms millions of low-income individuals–especially young people. I strongly oppose this proposed rule.

You can also view the comments that SIECUS submitted for additional inspiration.