Last Friday, February 22, the administration released the final draft of the Title X rule “Compliance with Statutory Program Integrity Requirements.” This updated draft includes even more prescriptive and harmful language than the proposed rule released for public comment in June 2018. NCSD submitted comments to HHS opposing the dangerous proposed changes to the rule.

The new rule mandates administrative and financial requirements which could lead to the defunding of some Title X providers and may open the door for organizations who supply inadequate family planning and sexual health care to receive these funds. The final draft requirements also make it even more difficult for providers to share medically-accurate information and services with their patients, ultimately compromising the patient-provider relationship.

Many NCSD members rely on the network of Title X clinics to provide quality STD testing and treatment. In 2017, Title X providers conducted over 5 million STD tests. If the proposed rule is implemented, many Title X clinics could be ineligible for federal funding resulting in a dismantling of key STD prevention partners across the country. With STDs at all-time highs and federal support for STD prevention depleted, any limit in access to STD services could be devastating to an already dire situation.

NCSD will monitor and oppose the implementation of the proposed changes in Title X, and will continue take guidance from our national family planning and reproductive health partners.