On March 4, 2019, the Trump Administration published a new rule on the Title X Family Planning Program. Referred to as the “Protect Life Rule,” it ensures that recipients of Title X federal funds do not provide or refer for abortions.

For more than four decades, Title X grants have provided low-income and uninsured Americans with access to family planning and preventative health care services.

On Monday, all recipients of Title X dollars were required to submit a written statement to the Department of Health and Human Services confirming that they do not perform abortions and they will comply with the Protect Life Rule. Instead of doing so, Planned Parenthood announced it will withdraw from Title X.

What does this tell us about Planned Parenthood? Well, perhaps nothing new -- we were already keenly aware of their unwavering support for abortion on demand. But this move does signal a new level of boldness by the nation’s largest abortion provider. It’s hard to hide behind a mantra of “our mission is to provide comprehensive health care” while thumbing your nose at funding to provide comprehensive family planning and other health care services!

It also reveals that the $60 million per year Planned Parenthood receives from Title X is insignificant to the organization. This notion is confirmed by our friends at the Heritage Foundation who analyzed the 2018 Government Accountability Office report which found Planned Parenthood received more than $1.5 billion in federal funding (including $1.2 billion from Medicaid) over a three-year period.

When compared to $500 million per year, $60 million is just a drop in the bucket. However, it’s $60 million less of taxpayer dollars being used to kill innocent human lives. And that’s certainly worth celebrating, even as we work to remove all taxpayer dollars flowing to abortion providers.

We can also celebrate the Trump Administration’s commitment to pro-life policies as demonstrated by the Protect Life Rule. The president’s actions to preserve and defend human life are in stark contrast to those of his predecessor, and many others who occupied the Oval Office before him. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Title X taxpayer dollars will now return to their original intent and not be used to prop up the abortion industry. That’s a win for life!

For Life,

Autumn Leva
Vice President of Strategy