Hawaii health clinics fear federal funding loss amidst abortion access battle

Hawaii health clinics fear federal funding loss amid abortion access battle
Published: Jul. 27, 2018 at 9:16 PM HST|Updated: Jul. 28, 2018 at 11:58 AM HST
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

UNITED STATES (HawaiiNewsNow) - President Trump wants to ensure that taxpayers do not indirectly fund abortions.

"For decades, American taxpayers have been wrongfully forced to subsidize the abortion industry through Title 10 federal funding," Trump said.

His administration is proposing a new rule to prohibit Title X funding from going to clinics like Planned Parenthood that perform abortions or make referrals for the procedure.

"Now we have a president who has basically declared a war on women, men and the impoverished," said Sen. Roz Baker, in response to the president's proposal.

Title X funding provides $260 million in federal money each year to community health centers for a range of family planning services and health screenings.

Kokua Kalihi Valley is one of 12 community health centers in Hawaii that accepts Title X funding.

"The proposed rules would ban healthcare providers who participate in Title X family planning program from giving women full and complete information about their health care options, specifically information about abortion — even if women ask," said Doris Segal Matsunaga, Maternal Child Health director at Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services.

Health care advocates say the rule would lead to more unintended pregnancies and abortions.

"The fact is, getting rid of this federal funding will undoubtedly increase abortions ... because Title X primarily provides contraceptives," said Marta Kikena De Matto who volunteers for Planned Parenthood.

The White House insists the proposed change does not include a so-called 'gag rule' on counseling on abortions.

Copyright 2018 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.