POWER TO DECIDE STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF DRAFT HOUSE FY 2022 LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION SPENDING BILL

(Washington, D.C.) — Today, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) subcommittee released text of their fiscal year 2022 LHHS appropriations bill. 

The draft bill includes $400 million for the Title X Family Planning Program, an increase of $114 million over the current funding level. The bill also includes $130 funding for the evidence-based Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program, an increase of $29 million over its current funding level. The bill does not include funding for abstinence only programs. 

Absent from the bill are harmful abortion restrictions—including the Hyde Amendment.   

In response Power to Decide CEO, Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, issued the following statement:

“The bill represents meaningful progress towards ensuring all people have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. 

“We are grateful for the increased investments in the Title X Family Planning Program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. These programs sustained significant damage as a result of the domestic gag rule and efforts to eliminate TPP Program grants. However, these programs have never been funded at levels that meet the needs of the people who depend on them. Increased funding is a critical step in the right direction in order to help reverse the damage done and help ensure more people have access to the reproductive health services and information they need and deserve. 

“We are also extremely grateful the bill eliminates restrictions for abortion care coverage, which only served to  make abortion care out of reach and inaccessible for people doing their best to make ends meet. 

“We commend our champions in the House for their unwavering support and commitment to these important programs. Now, we urge Congress to pass appropriations bills with robust support for these programs and without harmful restrictions on abortion coverage and care.” 

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.