The Department of Health and Human Services yesterday revoked the Trump Administration rules that prohibit family planning clinics receiving Title X funds from making referrals for abortions and which require strict physical and financial separation between abortion services and services funded by Title X monies. The HHS 124-page rule release (full text) titled Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services reinstates pre-2019 requirements, saying in part:
In addition to readopting the requirements as they existed prior to the 2019 rule, the 2021 rule also includes several revisions that will strengthen the Title X program and ensure access to equitable, affordable, client-centered, quality family planning services for all clients, especially for low-income clients, while retaining the longstanding prohibition on directly promoting or performing abortion that follows from Section 1008’s text and subsequent appropriations enactments.
The new rules require that grantees offer the opportunity for clients to receive non-directive counseling on the range of options available-- pre-natal care and delivery; infant care, foster care or adoption; and pregnancy termination. However "objecting individuals and grantees will not be required to counsel or refer for abortions in the Title X program in accordance with applicable federal law."
The new rules become effective on Nov. 6. AP reports on the new rules. Planned Parenthood issued a press release regarding the new rules.
