FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL GRANTS KNOWN AS TITLE X HAVE FUNDED CLINICS THAT OFFER FREE OR DISCOUNTED FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO MOSTLY LOW INCOME AMERICANS.

IN APRIL, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROZE MORE THAN 65 MILLIONS IN GRANTS FORCING SOME PROVIDERS TO SHUT THEIR DOORS.

WE SPOKE WITH THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AT THE NONPROFIT KFF.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF PROVIDERS GET THESE FUNDS AND WHAT TYPES OF SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

>> TITLE X IS THE ONLY FEDERAL PROGRAM DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO LOW INCOME AND UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BIRTH CONTROL METHODS, SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS, TESTING AND TREATMENT, PREGNANCY TESTING, CANCER SCREENINGS, AND OTHER PREVENTIVE SERVICES.

>> WE KNOW 16 OUT OF 86 TITLE X GRANTEES HAVE RECEIVED NOTICES THEY ARE LOSING FUNDING.

WHY DID THE ADMINISTRATION TARGET SOME CLINICS AND NOT OTHERS?

>> IT IS REALLY HARD TO TELL.

OF THE 16, INCLUDES ALL NINE OF THE PLANNED PARENTHOOD GRANTEES.

AND SEVEN OTHER NONPROFIT GRANTEES.

IN THE LETTERS, THEY CITED DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION VIOLATIONS.

IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR GRANT APPLICATIONS BUT THEY CITED PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, PUBLIC FACING JOB POSTINGS THAT SAID THESE ORGANIZATIONS WERE OPPOSING RACISM OR DEDICATED TO ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED CARE AT THESE CLINICS?

ARE THERE OTHER PLACES THEY CAN SEEK OUT SERVICES?

>> FOR MANY TITLE X CLINICS, THIS IS THEIR ONLY CARE PROVIDER.

THE BENEFIT OF THE TITLE X PROGRAM IS IT PROVIDES FREE AND LOW-COST FAMILY-PLANNING SERVICES TO THESE INDIVIDUALS WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO FIND IN OTHER CLINICS.

THESE CLIENTS MAY HAVE TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET FOR BIRTH CONTROL OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD CARE.

>> WHERE WILL THESE CUTS BE FELT THE HARDEST IN TERMS OF WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?

>> RIGHT NOW, 23 STATES ARE AFFECTED.

IT IS PRETTY WIDE REACHING.

THE SOUTHEAST U.S. WAS HIT HARDEST, PARTICULARLY RED STATES.

CURRENTLY, MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI HAVE NO TITLE X FUNDING BECAUSE OF THE WITHHELD FUNDS.

>> ARE THE STATES EQUIPPED TO FILL THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS IN OTHER WAYS'S >> THESE TEND TO BE STATES WHERE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IS NOT A PRIORITY?

CLIENTS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO FIND CARE.

THEY COULD GO TO HEALTH CENTERS THAT ALSO PROVIDE FREE AND REDUCED COST CARE.

OTHERS ARE RISKING TITLE X FUNDING.

IT IS A CHALLENGE WHEN THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS, WE EXPECT THIS TO BE THE LAST OF THE EFFORTS TO RESTRICT TITLE X FUNDING?

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE MORE TO COME?

>> I THINK THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

I THINK THEY DID ANTICIPATE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD CHANGE THE TITLE X REGULATIONS.

N THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THEY CHANGED THE TITLE X REGULATIONS TO EXCLUDE ANY CLINICS THAT HAD CO-LOCATED ABORTION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED REFERRALS.

1000 CLINICS COULD NO LONGER QUALIFY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

IN PROJECT 2025, THEY HAVE PROPOSED TO REINSTATE THOSE REGULATIONS.

THE OTHER THING IS THERE WAS A PRE-DECISIONAL BUDGET RELEASED.

THE OFFICE THAT DISTRIBUTES THE FUNDS WAS ON A LIST TO BE ELIMINATED.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

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