President Trump shakes hands with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar after he is sworn in by Vice President Pence on Jan. 29. Major reproductive health organizations are voicing concerns about the Trump administration’s new approach to federal family-planning grants, which may reduce the role of Planned Parenthood and place greater emphasis on “natural family planning.”
Andrew Harnik/AP
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Andrew Harnik/AP
Updated at 11:50 a.m. ET
Three national reproductive rights groups are suing the Trump administration, arguing that changes to the federal Title X program will put the health of millions of low-income patients at risk by prioritizing practices such as the rhythm method over comprehensive sexual health services.
The two lawsuits filed Wednesday — one by about the state budget here: https://t.co/GAD5jYtjpA
— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) April 4, 2018
Texas: Revisiting federal funding — without Planned Parenthood in the mix
Under the Obama administration, Texas was excluded from receiving Title X family planning funds because of the state’s ban on public funds going to organizations that provide abortions. Now, Texas officials see an opportunity to recapture that funding while maintaining that prohibition.
In March, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking the state to be allowed to receive those funds under the Trump administration:
“In light of the recent statements by … President Trump,” Paxton wrote, “… and communications that Texas officials had with members of your agency last Fall, Texans are encouraged that cooperative participation to accomplish the objectives of the Title X program, is yet again possible.”