POWER TO DECIDE HAILS PASSAGE OF HOUSE FY 2022 LABOR, HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION SPENDING BILL
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 4502, a funding package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. The bill provides $400 million for the Title X Family Planning Program, which is an increase of $113.5 million over the current funding level. The bill also includes $130 million for the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program, an increase of $29 million over the current funding level.
In addition, the bill eliminates funding for abstinence-only programs in appropriations. Finally, the Hyde Amendment is eliminated from this bill, as are bans on coverage of abortion care for federal employee health insurance plans and for Medicaid beneficiaries in the District of Columbia.
In response, Power to Decide CEO, Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, issued the following statement:
“We are grateful for the increased funding for these programs, which will allow more people to have the opportunity to access the information and services they need to achieve their goals and the futures they want for themselves.
“In addition, the elimination of harmful restrictions on abortion care from the appropriations bill is significant and well overdue. Such restrictions create barriers for those with limited means and from certain zip codes from accessing to the full spectrum of reproductive health services.
“This bill moves the needle closer to ensuring all people have access to reproductive health services they need and deserve. We are grateful to the champions in the House who spearheaded these momentous and necessary funding increases and policy changes.
“We urge the U.S. Senate to also support robust funding for these programs that help ensure all people have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child.”
Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant or have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
