Public Comment of New York State Senator Brad Hoylman to the Department of Health and Human Services Regarding Proposed Restrictions to Title X Funding

PUBLIC COMMENT OF NEW YORK STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REGARDING PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS TO TITLE X FUNDING

July 31, 2018

Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington DC 20201

Valerie Hubert, Senior Policy Advisor, Assistant Secretary for Health

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Diane Foley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Population Affairs

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building. Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretaries Azar, Hubert and Foley

I am writing to voice my objection to your administration’s outrageous proposed restrictions on to Title X, which will “gag” doctors and providers by banning access to Title X funding if they provide or mention abortion or abortion-related services. A gag rule would  deny 150,000 New Yorkers—most of whom are women-- access to pregnancy testing and options counseling, HIV and STI testing, cancer screenings, gynecological  care, educational resources, contraception counseling, and other critical health care services.  

The Title X program is the only federally funded family planning grant program dedicated to providing sexual and reproductive health services to low-income and uninsured individuals. In New York City alone, there are 22 Title X funded organizations in New York City alone. These organizations and the funding they receive sustain upwards of 50 health centers across the City, including one in my Senate District.

Title X allows Planned Parenthood—a vital health provider for New York City residents—to serve all New Yorkers, regardless of their income level or immigration status. Planned Parenthood New York City (PPNYC) is an invaluable, live-saving resource to many; in 2017, PPNYC had over 99,104 health care center visits, including 62,206 sexual and reproductive health visits and 90,235 tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

My constituents in Manhattan’s 27th district are strongly opposed to the gag rule and any measure to block essential health care to women and families. Their concerns align with those of the American public; almost 7 in 10 Americans strongly disapprove of your administration’s agenda to rob women of their basic health, rights, dignity, and freedom.

I am proud to join my colleagues in government, which include 14 governors, 80 mayors, 274 state legislators, and numerous local elected leaders throughout the country who have publicly opposed the gag rule. Over 200 members of Congress, submitted letters of opposition to the gag rule to HHS highlighting the negative effects of the rule and calling on the agency to rescind it.

I urge your administration to reconsider their decision to block patients from receiving the care and information they need.  The health and livelihood of millions of women across the country hangs in the balance.

Sincerely,

Brad Hoylman

State Senator

322 8th Avenue, Suite 1700

New York, NY 10001

PUBLIC COMMENT OF NEW YORK STATE SENATOR BRAD HOYLMAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REGARDING PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS TO TITLE X FUNDING

July 31, 2018

Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington DC 20201

Valerie Hubert, Senior Policy Advisor, Assistant Secretary for Health

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Diane Foley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population Affairs

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Population Affairs

Attention: Family Planning

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building. Room 716G

200 Independence Avenue SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretaries Azar, Hubert and Foley

I am writing to voice my objection to your administration’s outrageous proposed restrictions on to Title X, which will “gag” doctors and providers by banning access to Title X funding if they provide or mention abortion or abortion-related services. A gag rule would  deny 150,000 New Yorkers—most of whom are women-- access to pregnancy testing and options counseling, HIV and STI testing, cancer screenings, gynecological  care, educational resources, contraception counseling, and other critical health care services.  

The Title X program is the only federally funded family planning grant program dedicated to providing sexual and reproductive health services to low-income and uninsured individuals. In New York City alone, there are 22 Title X funded organizations in New York City alone. These organizations and the funding they receive sustain upwards of 50 health centers across the City, including one in my Senate District.

Title X allows Planned Parenthood—a vital health provider for New York City residents—to serve all New Yorkers, regardless of their income level or immigration status. Planned Parenthood New York City (PPNYC) is an invaluable, live-saving resource to many; in 2017, PPNYC had over 99,104 health care center visits, including 62,206 sexual and reproductive health visits and 90,235 tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

My constituents in Manhattan’s 27th district are strongly opposed to the gag rule and any measure to block essential health care to women and families. Their concerns align with those of the American public; almost 7 in 10 Americans strongly disapprove of your administration’s agenda to rob women of their basic health, rights, dignity, and freedom.

I am proud to join my colleagues in government, which include 14 governors, 80 mayors, 274 state legislators, and numerous local elected leaders throughout the country who have publicly opposed the gag rule. Over 200 members of Congress, submitted letters of opposition to the gag rule to HHS highlighting the negative effects of the rule and calling on the agency to rescind it.

I urge your administration to reconsider their decision to block patients from receiving the care and information they need.  The health and livelihood of millions of women across the country hangs in the balance.

Sincerely,

Brad Hoylman

State Senator

322 8th Avenue, Suite 1700

New York, NY 10001