Over 200 Members of Congress Express Outrage at Expected Domestic Gag Rule Policy

Policy Would Prohibit Health Care Providers from Discussing Abortion; Moves to Block Patients From Going to Planned Parenthood Health Centers for Birth Control

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, over 200 members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, expressing opposition to the expected domestic gag rule on Title X, the nation’s program for affordable birth control and family planning. The letter was led by United States Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) as well as United States Reps. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)

Statement by Dana Singiser, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

No one should be worried that their doctor will be forced to lie to them. No one should be kept from the best medical information and care available. No one should be prevented from getting basic care like birth control. Today, more than 200 members of Congress are standing up for people’s right to health care and information, and their ability to come to Planned Parenthood. We applaud them. We’re at a 30-year low for unintended pregnancy and a historic low for pregnancy among teenagers. Now is not the time to walk that progress back.

The Trump-Pence administration is reportedly preparing to implement a policy that would prohibit doctors, nurses, hospitals, and community health centers from providing any information or talking to patients about abortion. They wouldn’t even be able to answer questions about abortion. This would apply to all providers that serve the four million patients that rely on Title X for affordable birth control and reproductive health care. Second, it would impose new rules that are designed to make it impossible for millions of patients to get birth control or preventive care from reproductive health care providers like Planned Parenthood.

Currently, Planned Parenthood health centers serve 41 percent of the patients who get care through the Title X program. A policy such as this has never been in place before in the United States.

###

 Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.