(Planned Parenthood supporters in Capitol Hill)
Title X is the only federal grant program that is dedicated to helping individuals with family planning and
other preventative health services. Under the new rules of the “gag rule,” organizations that receive
Title X funding which previously gave counseling and referrals to abortion services, are not allowed
refer people to where they can properly get an abortion. The only exception to this rule is when a
woman states before that they already have made the decision to have an abortion.The new proposed
rule would not cut the funds to title X, but it would ensure that taxpayer money would not go directly to
abortions. This rule would not allow doctors with organizations be referred to suggested to go to abortion
clinics like Planned Parenthood (41% of Planned Parenthood patients are recommended by Title X
organizations). The topic of abortions have been a debate throughout the country as one of the defining
factors between republicans and democrats and weather abortions are for the rights of the mother or for
the baby.
other preventative health services. Under the new rules of the “gag rule,” organizations that receive
Title X funding which previously gave counseling and referrals to abortion services, are not allowed
refer people to where they can properly get an abortion. The only exception to this rule is when a
woman states before that they already have made the decision to have an abortion.The new proposed
rule would not cut the funds to title X, but it would ensure that taxpayer money would not go directly to
abortions. This rule would not allow doctors with organizations be referred to suggested to go to abortion
clinics like Planned Parenthood (41% of Planned Parenthood patients are recommended by Title X
organizations). The topic of abortions have been a debate throughout the country as one of the defining
factors between republicans and democrats and weather abortions are for the rights of the mother or for
the baby.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the pros and cons of having this new rule to Title X?
2. Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic provide services other than abortions, how would this
new rule affect the participation in the other services these clinics provide?
new rule affect the participation in the other services these clinics provide?
3. Do you think that this new rule should be passes and update Title X?
4. Do you think it should be considered as a "gag rule?"
The long-existing conflict of the government's intervention on family planning services has been the root of much public dispute. While Title X has some positive aspects, it also continues to spur public backlash. Addressing the pros, the new rule of Title X would ensure that people who do not believe or support abortion would not have to continue paying any of their tax money to fund those services. However,
ReplyDeletewomen who would want to get an abortion cannot do so. Because providers do not even mention the option of an abortion when discussing future family plans, it takes away a very important choice. Overall, while this new rule does benefit those who strongly disagree with abortion, it also prevents women from understanding all of their options before making a decision about their futures.
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ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAccording to Merriam Webster, a gag rule is "a law, order, or ruling that prohibits free debate or expression of ideas, information, or opinions". This new proposed amendment to Title X would directly prohibit family planning services from referring people to have an abortion. Thus, President Trump's proposal should be considered a gag rule because it prevents women who are contemplating different options from gaining a full perspective and it prevents doctors from providing an adequate consultation.
I believe that a con to this new rule is that people thinking about abortion cannot get the counseling that they may want unless they have already decided to have an abortion. Many women thinking about abortion have a lot of questions that they want answered before having an abortion, and this new rule would prevent organizations to refer to abortion. Therefore, the women's decision could be made without knowing all the information and options that they have. Others may argue that a pro gives women to really take time to think about their decisions, however, without the proper family planning counseling, women may not get the opportunity to really explore her options.
ReplyDeleteAbortions are often considered a very taboo topic that can cause a lot of controversy in our society. As a result of this unspoken rule of silence about abortions, women don't have access to much information about abortions, which makes it extremely difficult to make any informed decisions when it comes to their own bodies and pregnancies. Therefore, one of the primary cons of this new rule for Title X would be a lack of knowledge for women about the options that they have to deal with that situation. Thus, I don't think this new rule should be passed and added to Title X as it would hinder a doctor's ability to educate women about making knowledgeable choices regarding abortions and unplanned pregnancies.
ReplyDeleteThe wording of the proposal makes it very clear, "A Title X project may not perform, promote, refer for, or support, abortion as a method of family planning, nor take any other affirmative action to assist a patient to secure such an abortion" unless the woman has already said that they're having one. This is unacceptable, it forces women who want to consider abortion as a possibility either decide without guidance from medical professionals who could discuss it with them, or be forced to lie and claim they're dead set on abortion. There is no world where more information about an abortion is a bad thing, it allows a woman to properly explore her options clearly, and if it turns out that after discussing with a medical professional she does't feel like having an abortion, then more power to her, but making it harder for women to get information that would help them consider abortion as a viable option for pregnancy is unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anna, I feel that abortion is a topic that is not being educated or talked about enough. There is a lack of perspective being brought into view for reasons a woman may want to get an abortion and by preventing the ability to provide information for someone who is even questioning. By passing this, it just continues to make it more taboo in societies eyes.
ReplyDelete- Hannah Flynn
DeleteIf this new Title X law were to pass, it would most likely lead to the decrease in the amount of patients attend clinics like Planned Parenthood, even for services unrelated to abortions. It is very clear that this new provision aims to steer people away from abortions clinics rather than informing them on all the different options. I do not believe that this amendment to the law should be added. Doctors should be giving their patients all of the information and let them decide what they want to do within the scope of the current law rather than coerce them into a decision that the government believes in.
ReplyDeleteI think that this "gag rule" is misguided and does not put the health of the women who receive counseling first. A doctor should be able to refer a woman to whatever option they believe right for the woman, based on their medical knowledge and the doctor's knowledge of the woman. The government has no place in these very personal discussions between women and their doctors and it is just another terrible effort to try to get rid of planned parenthood. Roe V. Wade legalized abortion and lawmakers need to respect that and this decision violates the court ruling.
ReplyDelete-Stefan Veizades
DeleteIn addition to having a lack of information about abortions due to the “gag rule” and a limitation of women’s rights, another important con to address is that the new rule for Title X would mean a decrease in participation in the services Planned Parenthood (or other similar organizations) provides other than abortion. According to a chart released by Planned Parenthood, only 3% of their services are related to abortions. Their other services include STI/STD testing, contraception programs, cancer screening and prevention, and other women’s health services. Because of this new rule added to Title X, many women could be less exposed to the many services Planned Parenthood provides as it becomes more of a taboo subject to talk about for everyone, but especially in the cases of doctors and women.
ReplyDelete-Jessica Liu
DeleteI think that this is definitely a "gag rule". This would prohibit abortion from being a suggested option, which for some women may be the best for their own health. Not allowing this to be recommended would only help people strongly against abortion, but would not help the actual people being affected by these options.
ReplyDeleteThese proposed changes to Title X are extremely distressing. Family planning is very difficult and complicated, and the fact that it will become harder for women to receive the services and assistance they need is appalling. Conservatives that push for this kind of legislation constantly preach for the "many" options for women with unplanned pregnancies yet they still want to limit the options women have. These changes will only harm women and bring back the days when women had to go to unlicensed "clinics" to get the services they need. It is important to prevent that from happening and for Congress to pass legislation that protects women and their reproductive health.
ReplyDelete- Mary Entoma
DeleteThis proposal is concerning because it hinges on the assumption that abortion is never the best option for women and the best thing to do is to reduce their access to it as well as the information being circulated about it. In some cases, an abortion procedure can be life saving; however, if a woman is not educated or aware of all of her options, she may not choose what could be the best option for her. This proposal severely restrict's women's freedom and autonomy over her own reproductive health.
ReplyDelete-Emma Madgic
ReplyDelete"...helping individuals with family planning and other preventative health services." That is what Title X's main purpose is. Taking away their right to recommend a safe abortion clinic is basically striking down the main purpose of Title X. I understand that abortion is big taboo, but what I don't understand is why people have to force their own personal ideals onto other people. If a person personally doesn't think getting an abortion is right, then she shouldn't get the abortion, but she shouldn't force other people who are under different circumstances to not be able to get an abortion. Who are these people to make decisions for others. Having the right to get an abortion doesn't mean everyone is going to get an abortion, it just means that women have the option to use it. This is where I am going to go pro-rights. For most women who want an abortion, their reasons have to do with the safety of her life and the baby's. Giving birth could be bad for her health, but also, some women aren't ready to be mothers themselves either maturity-wise or money-wise. If we make abortions illegal, we could be condemning kids to lives that aren't ideal. In an extreme example, they could have to grow up on the streets or in an orphanage or with a mom that resents the child. All of these things could and probably have happened because an abortion wasn't an option. This "gag-rule" is a measure that entirely undermines the entire point of Title X and should definitely not be passed
ReplyDelete-Maia Bhaumik
DeleteI do not think this gag rule should pass, for it completely undermines the whole purpose behind Title X. It does not allow families to see all their options when it comes to family planning and health. An abortion may be the best option for the family, yet when this option isn't presented it is very concerning. Implementing the gag rule just forces women to make uneducated decisions, which is probably not what the general society wants. The only pro that may come with this decision is tax payers who don't believe in abortion don't really have to pay for it, but the cons greatly outweigh this possible pro. In addition, services by Planned Parenthood would not be used as often, ridding society of important health check ups such as STD screenings and access to birth control. Overall, it is a very bad decision to pass the "gag-rule."
ReplyDelete