What was already bad news turned into a complicated and unmanageable situation. Before I could return to my doctor for a treatment plan, I found myself without health insurance. I was the dependent of an active duty military member, but because of my specific circumstances, my options were limited. So I had to pay completely out of pocket.
I was working a minimum wage job and couldn't afford the cost of insurance or out‑of‑pocket visits. I went to my local Planned Parenthood health center, and I remember the relief I felt when the person at the front desk told me not to worry. My provider came up with a reasonable treatment plan for my endometriosis and the rest of the team gave me the best care possible. I was only able to get the health care I needed because of the Title X program, the nation's only federal program focused on providing birth control, cancer screenings, and other reproductive health care to people with low incomes.
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But because of the Trump administration's Title X gag rule, access to care like I had is threatened for millions of patients in the U.S. The gag rule was designed to target abortion providers — and in practice, it forced community health care providers like Planned Parenthood health centers out of the Title X program. It slashed the program's capacity in half and ultimately left six states without any Title X providers at all.
We have the opportunity to end the gag rule as soon as possible. I know many of you are ready to take action with the millions of people Title X serves.
When the gag rule was first announced, more than 500,000 people across the country voiced their opposition by submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That's at least 500,000 people who believe that access to health care is a human right — myself included. I know that there are more people, like you and me, whose stories need to be heard.
During a time when I wasn't sure if I would be able to even have children someday, or exactly how to manage this newly-diagnosed disease, the last thing I wanted to think about was the cost and how to navigate the system. Title X was critical to my finding care and managing my disease. Without it, I don't know where I would be today.
The comment period for the Biden-Harris administration to hear your voice is coming to a close soon. Please, add a comment today to ensure that the Title X program is quickly strengthened so all people have better access to the care they need.
Thank you for fighting for equitable access to health care for all people.
Emma B.
Planned Parenthood patient advocate
