The Obama administration published a notice of proposed rulemaking that is designed to clarify and strengthen longstanding patient protections for the more than 4 million women and men who seek care through the Title X family planning program. These new protections would ensure that states cannot withhold Title X federal family planning money from certain recipients for any reason other than the provider’s “ability to deliver services to program beneficiaries in an effective manner.”
In layman’s terms, that means that states can no longer defund reproductive healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood for anything other than their ability to provide Title X services in an effective manner. In other words, a win!
Comments on the proposed changes can be submitted in one of two ways:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Enter the docket ID number (937-AA04) in the ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID’’ field and click on ‘‘Search.’’ On the next Web page, click on ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ action and follow the instructions.
- Mail to: Susan B. Moskosky, MS, WHNP-BC, Office of Population Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Suite 716G, Washington, DC 20201. Comments received, including any personal information, will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov.
– Savannah
