Anti-abortion groups call on Trump to cut Planned Parenthood off from family planning grants

A coalition of anti-abortion groups is calling on the Trump administration to cut Planned Parenthood off from family planning grants.

More than 85 anti-abortion groups signed a letter Tuesday saying that the family planning money, known as Title X, should not go to Planned Parenthood and other groups that perform or refer women for abortions. This shift would reinstate a regulation put in place by President Reagan.

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“The result of this policy is simply to separate the Title X network of family planning providers from abortionists like Planned Parenthood – the nation’s largest abortion chain,” states the letter, which was signed by leading anti-abortion groups like Susan B. Anthony List and National Right to Life.

The group said 41 senators and 153 representatives also sent letters to the Department of Health and Human Services making the same request.

Axios reported Monday that President Trump is considering the move.

Planned Parenthood says the proposal is broader than just a question of funds, and would also prevent the organization from referring for abortions or even discussing them with patients.

Much of the organization’s government funding comes from Medicaid, which is separate from Title X. But cutting off the family planning grants would still cut off significant funds for Planned Parenthood, the anti-abortion groups said: $50-$60 million of the Title X program’s $286 million in total spending.

Planned Parenthood says it makes up 13 percent of centers receiving Title X funds but serves 41 percent of the patients.

“This proposal is outrageous, and it is dangerous,” Planned Parenthood Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens said in a statement. “This is a domestic gag rule — and would be a radical departure from the way health care has operated in the United States up until now. This would prevent millions of people from getting birth control and preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers, and at the same time would force doctors and nurses to lie to their patients across the country.”

“This would have devastating consequences, and essentially dismantle the nation’s program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care, which 4 million people rely on,” she added.