Florida Planned Parenthood denounces Trump Administration’s Title X gag rule

WEST PALM BEACH – The Trump-Pence administration just implemented a gag rule that is scheduled to take effect in 60 days. The rule makes it illegal for health care providers in the Title X program to refer patients for an abortion, or to even support or promote abortion as a medical option.

“This rule threatens to take away quality, affordable reproductive health care and information from millions of people,” said Stephanie Fraim, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. “All patients, regardless of income, deserve access to the best medical care and information possible.”

This rule is a direct attack on anyone who can’t afford the rising costs of health care. The Trump-Pence administration is dismantling the nation’s family planning program, which is meant to ensure that people with low incomes can still access birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and other essential reproductive health care.

“We stand with the medical community in opposition to these gag rules,” said Lillian Tamayo, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida. “Because of our commitment to ethical patient care it would be impossible for us to continue participating in the program. We won’t withhold critical information from our patients.”

This gag rule is not an isolated attack – it’s just the latest tactic to deny access to reproductive health care.

“Planned Parenthood will always be here for our patients and will continue to fight for everyone’s ability to get affordable, quality health care,” Tamayo said.

###

Impact of the gag rule

In Florida alone, Title X serves approximately 150,000 patients. This rule directly impacts these patients, denying them accurate, comprehensive health care information.
In addition, the Trump-Pence administration’s gag rule prevents agencies from working with providers who offer abortion care, disrupting the network of health care safety net providers. That’s bad for all patients.
Every year, more than 1,000 teens in Palm Beach County receive services from Planned Parenthood with Title X dollars.
Nationally, Planned Parenthood health centers serve 41 percent of all Title X patients.