HHS final rule bars family-planning funds for abortionists

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has released a final rule that bans funding family planning programs at sites where abortions "are performed or recommended as a form of family planning."

The rule change was proposed last year by the Trump administration to deny federal tax dollars to organizations such as Planned Parenthood and others "that provide abortion services."

"The rule would cut approximately $60 million of Planned Parenthood's taxpayer funding – a significant step in defunding the abortion giant," said a statement from the American Center for Law and Justice.

The organization called it "a major victory for life."

"The rule ensures that program recipients are in full compliance with the law, particularly the statutory prohibition on funding to programs where abortion services are performed or recommended as a form of family planning," ACLJ said.

The money instead will be directed to applicants who "do not perform or refer for abortion as a method of family planning."

Before the rule change, the government routinely would give Title X money to abortionists such as Planned Parenthood, with directions it is to be used for "family planning."

But now, the express language states, "None of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning."

ACLJ said that was the original intent of the law.

"Even though the abortion industry was never intended to get a dime of these funds, Planned Parenthood has consistently used its deceptive accounting gimmicks to get around the requirement. As a result, Planned Parenthood has accounted for as much as 41 percent of Title X services," the organization said.

ACLJ explained it submitted comments to the government in support because the change "restores Title X to its proper function as the only domestic federal program solely designed to provide affordable family planning services to low income families without promoting abortion or misusing funds to support abortion; (b) increases the means by which women and their families can seek, and the manner in which Title X providers can offer, these services, including the use of natural family planning; and (c) protects women and children by requiring Title X service providers to comply with state and local reporting and notification laws regarding rape, abuse, incest, and neglect."

The report said, "The new rule takes the necessary steps to stop abortionists like Planned Parenthood from continuing to siphon off taxpayer funds from a program they were never intended to be eligible for in the first place."

HHS, in its announcement, said the Title X program "annually serves approximately four million people, and the updated rule seeks to ensure a holistic and health-centered approach, safeguarding the short- and long-term family planning needs of more women, men, and adolescents in need of services."

It now requires a financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities in which abortion is a method of family planning.

It also prohibits referral for abortion as a method of family planning.

And it improves program transparency, protects women and children who have experienced abuse or trafficking, and requires clinics to provide annual training and have a protocol for victims and survivors of sexual assault.