Biden Reverses Trump Rule Barring Taxpayer Funds to Clinics That Refer for Abortion

The Biden Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule Monday that reverses the Trump administration’s policy of prohibiting taxpayer funds to family planning clinics that refer clients for abortion.

“This rule is a step forward for family planning care as it aims to strengthen and restore our nation’s Title X program,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, a longstanding ally of Planned Parenthood.

He added:

Our nation’s family planning clinics play a critical role in delivering health care, and today more than ever, we are making clear that access to quality family planning care includes accurate information and referrals—based on a patient’s needs and direction.

In February 2019, the Trump administration issued a final rule that underscored that federal taxpayer funds provided for the Title X family planning grant program may not be used to support abortion in any way.