Biden-Harris Administration Announces End to Harmful Title X Gag Rule

Today, in huge news for health access in Oregon and Southwest Washington, the Biden administration ended the Title X gag rule, which had forced Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette (PPCW) and Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon (PPSO) out of the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control and other reproductive health care to people with low incomes.

Unfortunately, the new rule leaves an opening for Title X providers or grantees to refuse to counsel or refer patients to abortions. This harmful and unnecessary clause could deny a patient accurate and comprehensive health options because of their provider’s personal beliefs.

Statement from Anne Udall, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette:

“Today’s welcome news from the Biden administration will have a real and tangible impact on patients seeking sexual and reproductive health care right here in Oregon and Southwest Washington. When the gag rule took effect, affiliate health centers were forced out of the Title X program, putting access at risk to the thousands of patients we previously served. With today’s announcement, we look forward to increasing access to health care, particularly for patients with low incomes and Black and Brown communities, who were disproportionately affected by this harmful rule.”

Statement from Lisa Gardner, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon:

“While the gag rule was in effect, PPSO and our political partners worked closely with state officials to create critical backstops and protect access to care for all Oregonians who need it, regardless of federal action on Title X. We commend Governor Kate Brown for prioritizing funding for reproductive health services and for her commitment to supporting access to health care.”