“NCJW is horrified at the rule issued today by the Trump administration that bars groups from providing abortions or abortion referrals from participating in the federal family planning program known as Title X. This “gag rule” undermines the physician-patient relationship and keeps women from having full information about ALL of their healthcare options.

“Under the new rule, which opponents have vowed to challenge in court, federally funded family planning clinics can no longer refer a patient for abortion and will have to maintain a “clear physical and financial separation” between services funded by the government and any organization that provides abortions or referrals for abortions. Recipients of grants under the Title X program, which serves mostly low-income women, were already prohibited from performing abortions with those funds

“For 48 years, Title X has been the only federal domestic program providing critical reproductive health services related to family planning and contraception, including physical exams, prescriptions, laboratory exams, contraceptive supplies, and referrals when medically needed. Title X providers are a foundational source of high-quality, affordable reproductive health care for women that is, in many cases, free. The largest proportion of those receiving Title X provider services are women of color. Importantly, low-income patients rely on their Title X provider to deliver unbiased information regarding their reproductive and sexual health. This rule effectively interferes in the patient-provider relationship and dismantles Title X’s non-directive counseling requirements.

“Title X has proven critical to the social safety net, with a track record of helping to keep women and families healthy and thriving for almost 50 years. The gag rule prevents Title X providers from ensuring women and their families get the health care they need, including information about safe, legal abortion. This rule must be overturned — if not by Congress, then by the courts.”