Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined forces with attorneys general from 21 states to address concerns regarding the withholding of Title X funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Title X, established by President Richard Nixon, is the sole federal program focused on family planning for low-income and uninsured Americans.
In late March, HHS informed many grant recipients, who make up nearly a quarter of all Title X clinics, that their grants were being withheld. In a letter led by Nessel, the attorneys general emphasized the potential negative impact this could have on healthcare services. They cited possible increases in unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and rates of undiagnosed HIV, as well as significant additional financial strain on state budgets.
Expressing concern, Nessel remarked, “Millions of Americans rely on the essential health care services supported by Title X funds, including breast and cervical screenings, well-woman exams, STI screenings and treatment, and many reproductive health services.” She noted that although Michigan has not yet been affected, the state could face challenges in the future if changes are not made.
The decision to withhold Title X funding is part of a broader pattern by HHS to cease critical funding. Nessel also noted a lawsuit filed against HHS for terminating nearly $11 billion in public health grants nationwide, which includes a significant portion due to Michigan. States like California, Hawaii, and Maine have seen a complete cessation of Title X funding, leading to a scramble to fill gaps left by the federal shortfall.
The coalition of attorneys general has highlighted the 2019 changes to Title X under the Trump Administration, which led to a significant decrease in the number of patients receiving services. They expressed serious concerns that the current withholding could exacerbate these issues, potentially depriving at least 834,000 patients of care in the first year alone, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Despite suggestions from HHS that federal civil rights laws were violated by Title X grantees, the attorneys general pointed out that no evidence has been provided to support these claims. They continue to urge HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to reverse the decision and to restore funding to this critical program. Joining Nessel in this effort are attorneys general from a diverse group of states, reflecting a broad-based effort to maintain essential public health resources.