Joint Statement on U.S. Supreme Court’s Dismissal of Title X ‘Gag Rule’ Cases

The following is a joint statement from the American Civil Liberties Union, American Medical Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Essential Access Health, and Feminist Women’s Health Center/Cedar River Clinics on the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the Title X cases:

“Today’s dismissal of the Supreme Court Title X cases marks another important step forward for patients across the country who have been denied access to essential care during a pandemic. We are pleased that all parties, including the federal government, agreed that the litigation over the Trump administration’s ‘gag rule’ is no longer necessary. As the comment period on its proposed regulations comes to a close today, we look forward to the Biden administration’s continued prompt action to undo this dangerous and discriminatory rule.

“The ‘gag rule’ on the Title X program continues to bring immense harm to people across the country who depend on affordable sexual and reproductive health care — such as birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment, among other essential health services that Title X provides. Among many harmful restrictions, the ‘gag rule’ inappropriately interferes with the patient-provider relationship and conflicts with the ethical obligations of physicians and other health care providers — ultimately jeopardizing patient access to safe, confidential care. Tragically, but predictably, this rule has disproportionately harmed people of color, who are at the same time more likely to face the worst health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Title X has an essential role in ensuring that all Americans — regardless of where they live or how much money they make — have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care. Patients across the country are counting on President Biden to fulfill his promise, and we are hopeful that this process will continue to move as swiftly as possible to end this rule — protecting Title X patients, physicians, providers, and the health of the nation from further irreparable harm.”