Trump Admin Changes To Title X Face Criticism

Changes by the Trump administration to the family planning federal grant program known as Title X has received criticism from across the political spectrum.

For Context: Title X began in 1970 after being passed by Congress and became the only federal program dedicated entirely to family planning and reproductive health care. The Trump administration has recently made changes to the program's funding. As of March 31, 16 grantees including Planned Parenthood have had funding temporarily withheld, and new guidance has shifted the program's focus from contraceptive access to family planning and natural methods over contraceptive use such as tracking fertility cycles. The temporary halt to funding for Planned Parenthood ended on April 3, just days after the halt.

Killing Title X: Jill Filipovic (Left bias), writing for New York Times Opinion (Left), called the changes to the funding guidelines a "terrifying new way" for the Trump administration to come after birth control: "Instead of getting highly effective contraception methods to the country's poorest women so that they may decide if and when to have children, Title X under Mr. Trump seems aimed at getting more women pregnant, whether they want to be or not."

Continuing Biden's Policies: Roll Call (Center) called the changes "mixed messaging" that has "anti-abortion groups simultaneously outraged and optimistic." The article explained that while pro-life groups were outraged over continued funding, some may be pleased for the shift towards more natural methods and focus on family planning. President of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Marjorie Dannenfelser, in an opinion for The Hill (Center), called the changes a "shocking turn of events," adding that the Trump administration has "chosen to carry over former President Joe Biden's forced taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood." Dannenfelser said, "For pro-life voters, this is not just a policy dispute; it is a shot across the bow" and added that for "many in the Republican base," this is seen as "a clear message."  

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