Trump decision to redirect public health money to fund family separation despicable

For Immediate Release
September 21, 2018

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 3330
zeisenstein@siecus.org

Yesterday, the Trump administration announced that it will divert $266 million in Fiscal Year 2018 funds from various health initiatives in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund the detention of unaccompanied migrant children at the southern U.S. border.

This announcement indicates that millions will be stripped from HIV and other STI programs, cancer prevention programs, and maternal and child health programs. A total of $245,000 will be taken directly from the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP).

In response to this announcement, Chitra Panjabi, SIECUS President & CEO, released the following statement:

“Today’s announcement is completely unjustified. SIECUS is appalled that the administration plans to take funds from the current fiscal year that could still be spent to advance young people’s health through TPPP and other vital programs and use this money to cause them irrevocable harm, instead.

These funds were meant to protect and promote the health and well-being of millions. Instead, the Trump administration is using these limited resources to fix a self-created crisis rooted in hate and bigotry.

This reallocation of funds shows, yet again, that this administration’s priorities are not only backward, but inhumane.

We firmly oppose Trump’s family separation policies—and the raiding of public health funds to pay for them.”

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The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) has served as the national voice for sex education, sexual health, and sexual rights for over 50 years. SIECUS asserts that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. We advocate for the rights of all people to accurate information, comprehensive sexuality education, and the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services. SIECUS works to create a world that ensures social justice inclusive of sexual and reproductive rights.