Joint statement from:
American Medical Association
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
American Civil Liberties Union
Essential Access Health
Feminist Women’s Health Center/Cedar River Clinics
“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.”
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About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
