Press Release: Title X "Gag Rule"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2019

PLANNED PARENTHOOD APPLAUDS STATE OF CALIFORNIA LAWSUIT AGAINST TITLE X GAG RULE

One million CA patients received health care through Title X last year

SACRAMENTO—Today, Planned Parenthood  applauded California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s announcement that the State of California will file a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s final  Gag Rule on health care providers receiving federal family planning funds through Title X, the nation’s program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care.

“Reproductive health care is health care. This gag rule targets the patients who need help the most,” said Crystal Strait, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Despite this new rule, our doors are open and we will work to continue to deliver quality, affordable health care.”

Planned Parenthood leaders are available for interviews and patient stories are available upon request.

Planned Parenthood joined Attorney General Becerra, California First Partner Jennifer Seibel Newsom, State Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, and California Legislative leaders and health care providers at a press conference today in Sacramento to underscore the harm that the Title X Gag Rule will bring to nearly 1 million Californians and thousands of health care providers.

“Despite the Administration’s attacks on women’s health, California will continue to make expanding access to health care a priority,” said Senate President pro Tem Atkins, “I am committed to ensuring that Californians have access to the information and health care services they need."  

“Let’s be clear about what Trump’s gag rule is about. It’s about stigmatizing abortion and demonizing women. Trump wants to build another wall - between a woman and her doctor,” said Crystal Strait.  “We will not be silenced. We’re not shutting up, and we’re not shutting down.”

The Title X Gag Rule would make it illegal for health care providers in the program to refer patients for an abortion. Health centers providing abortion referrals, like Planned Parenthood health centers, would be denied all federal Title X funding.  Title X is the nation’s only federal grant program for reproduction health services and was created in 1970.

 

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_{Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) is the state public policy office representing California’s seven separately incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates. Through advocacy and electoral action, PPAC promotes sound public policy in areas of reproductive and preventive health care, family planning and comprehensive sexual health education.}