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Title X Planned Parenthood changes

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How it affects Rocky Mountain patients

Planned Parenthood services in the Rocky Mountain region will be affected by the organization’s recent withdrawal from the Title X program. But not in the same way as in many other states.

When the Ninth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the request by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the American Medical Association to suspend the Trump-Pence Administration’s Title X Gag Rule, PPFA said all affiliates participating in that program will withdraw, because it is impossible to comply with the rule and continue to provide ethical, complete medical care at the same time.

Planned Parenthood believes it is critically important for patients to receive information about all their health care options in order that they can make the best choices for themselves and their families.  A rule that keeps providers from counseling a pregnant patient about her options and providing appropriate referrals would be considered interference into the practice of medicine.

The Title X Family Planning Program is a federal grant program created in 1970 to provide family planning and preventive health services including contraception counseling, cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy diagnosis and counseling.

It is administered by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs and prioritizes serving low-income people and families.  It is implemented through grants to more than 3,500 sites including public health departments and non-profit health centers.

The Trump-Pence Administration’s Title X Gag Rule was put into effect July 11, 2019 in every state except Maryland, based on the decision of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

ABORTION CARE

When it comes to abortion care, Title X funds are already banned.  But the new Title X rules require that Title X-funded activities are physically and financially separated from any activities related to abortion care.  That includes accounting and health records, separate examination and waiting rooms, separate office entrances, websites, staffing and more.  Planned Parenthood says this creates an unnecessary burden on health care providers to meet the requirements and serves to stigmatize abortion care, treating it differently from other types of sexual reproductive health care.

Neta Meltzer, Strategic Communications Manager for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, says, “These kinds of restrictions wouldn’t be acceptable for any other form of health care, and they’re not acceptable for sexual and reproductive health care either.”

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION IS UNIQUE

But here’s where things take a different course. Meltzer, says the Rocky Mountain region has not participated in Title X for a number of years. New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Southern Nevada changed their business model and chose to rely on community support.

According to Meltzer “The Trump administration is forcing providers to choose between giving patients full and accurate medical information and receiving funding to provide health care to patients who already face barriers in their ability to get care. It’s a false choice. For us, ethics are not on the negotiating table. We will never compromise the quality of our care.”

By depending on community support, Planned Parenthood in the Rocky Mountain region ensures that patients receive complete health care and information, no matter the political climate.

Meltzer says, some patients will either delay or forgo getting care entirely, without having access to the Title X funding to assist with the cost of their care.

With the Rocky Mountain region business model, the doors stay open.  The services remain available.  You can still get care.  You can still keep your appointments.  As Meltzer puts it, “We’re here.”

She says there will be an increased need for community support at Rocky Mountain region centers because people from neighboring states and other local health care providers are expected to be coming into the area for services, now that Title X is no longer available in their locations.

Meltzer expresses determination when she talks about keeping the doors open and the services accessible, to people in the region and those coming here from outside.

“No patient should have to decide between getting health care and making ends meet.”

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