Biden-Harris Administration Announces End to Harmful Title X Gag Rule, Opens Door for New Hampshire Health Centers to Reenter the Federal Program After Being Defunded at the State Level Last Month

WASHINGTON— Yesterday, in huge news for health access in New Hampshire, the Biden administration ended the Title X gag rule, which had forced Planned Parenthood of Northern New England out of the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control and other reproductive health care to people with low incomes. PPNNE’s five New Hampshire health centers are looking forward to reentering the program, which will provide critical funding for health care services to Granite Staters. This federal funding is more important than ever with the Executive Council’s decision last month to dismantle the NH Family Planning Program.

When the federal gag rule took effect, PPNNE health centers and other community health providers were forced out of the Title X program. Fortunately, in the FY 20-21 New Hampshire budget, state budget writers used New Hampshire general funds to cover the lost federal funds. This year, however, state budget writers did not include this funding to address the gap, even though they were aware of the direct impact the loss of funds would have on patients at these providers.

Statement from Kayla Montgomery, VP of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund:

“In the past few months, New Hampshire’s state politicians have waged a full-on assault against New Hampshire Family Planning providers, as state budget writers did not address the loss in federal funds and the Executive Council dismantled the state family planning program by defunding reproductive health centers. This announcement from the Biden Administration to end the gag rule is welcome news and will have a real and tangible impact on patients seeking sexual and reproductive health care right here in New Hampshire. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England looks forward to reentering the program and remains committed to providing quality, affordable care for all who need it.”

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care for women, men and young people across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 6 health centers in Claremont, Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. In 2020, we saw nearly 11,000 patients at these sites.

Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.