For Nika Graci, PPGNHAIK Federal Programs Manager, the loss of Title X funding for Planned Parenthood health centers has been a great challenge. Graci’s role is to secure as much funding as possible on a federal level, and navigate governmental applications, procedures and compliance.
Graci said, “The last few years have been full of frustration and challenges for Planned Parenthood affiliates like ours across the country. The 2019 Title X rule change forced many organizations, including PPGNHAIK, to withdraw from Title X.”
Title X was the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventative health services.
Planned Parenthood voluntarily withdrew from receiving Title X funding rather than comply with the Title X gag rule, issued in February 2019, which prohibited the use of Title X funds to perform, promote, refer for, or support abortion as a method of family planning.
The loss of Title X had a devastating impact on patients and service-area communities. For example, in 2018, PPGNHAIK’s four Alaska health centers provided critical Title X services to 6,473 patients.
“We know that BIPOC patients, low-income patients, uninsured patients and youth were the most impacted by the decline in the number of Title X providers,” asserted Graci.
Graci pointed out that during this same time, PPGNHAIK faced similar federal funding hurdles for its education programming. In one instance, a federal grant was awarded, but no funding was provided to implement it.
She added, “While we are still waiting for federal grant opportunities to expand our community education programming, we are encouraged by the progress made at the federal level to roll back many of the most egregious rules and restrictions put in place by the Trump administration.”
Since Planned Parenthood’s withdrawal from Title X funding, public support, support from state and local governments, support from partner organizations and tremendous advocacy have kept Planned Parenthood going.
Rebecca Gibron, PPGNHAIK Acting CEO, said, “Right now, we are hopeful to be back in the Title X program soon.”
In the meantime, Graci explained that federal programming is prioritizing equity and the importance of addressing all people inclusively and respectfully. “However, federal grants still require rigorous reporting and strict segregation of abortion from funded programming.”
To support Planned Parenthood, and to help provide much-needed reproductive health care in a post-Title X reality, please donate here.
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