Today, Reproductive Freedom Caucus Whip Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Reproductive Freedom Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette and Ayanna Pressley, Reproductive Freedom Caucus Task Force Chair Judy Chu, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernandez and Chief Whip Nikema Williams, and author of the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03) led 155 of their Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., expressing deep concern about his recent actions to freeze tens of millions of dollars in funding for the Title X program (Title X), the United States’ only federal program dedicated to family planning.  The effort comes as the Trump administration announced plans to freeze almost $35 million in federal funds for 16 Title X grantees. 

“Title X has served as a cornerstone of safety-net care. Championed by then Congressman George H.W. Bush and signed into law by President Nixon, Title X allows a diverse network of providers to deliver high-quality care to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured individuals confidentially,” the members wrote. “Title X health centers served 2.8 million people in FY 2023, administering high-quality family planning and sexual health care, including cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, contraceptive services and supplies, pregnancy testing, and other essential health care services.

“Freezing funds for this essential program will harm communities that otherwise may not have access to care,” the members continued.  In 2016, 60% of the women who received birth control from a Title X health center shared that it was their only source of health care the previous year. These health centers are also an essential resource for preventative care in the communities they serve.

“We urge you to restore all appropriated funding for Title X providers and instead invest fully in the program which has helped people access essential health care for almost 50 years,” the members concluded.

To view the full text of the letter, click here.