Washington, D.C. – Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), today introduced a Congressional Resolution celebrating the 40th anniversary of Title X of the Public Health Service Act. The legislation was the first Federal program to provide low-income Americans with family planning services that they otherwise could not afford.
“Title X has been one of the strongest commitments our nation has made to the health of our families,” said Merkley. “Millions of young women in America simply can’t afford critical health care services like cancer screenings and reproductive health services. Title X is an essential program that helps ensure that women and men, regardless of income, can access key health services and improve the quality of their lives.”
“For forty years, Title X has created healthier lives for America’s women, men and families,” said Chu. “As the only federal program completely dedicated to providing family planning and preventive health care, Title X plays a vital role in ensuring that millions of Americans receive essential health services that they otherwise could not afford. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure the program continues to advance our country’s well-being for decades to come.”
The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) supports the Title X resolutions introduced by Representative Judy Chu and Senator Jeff Merkley. “NFPRHA is grateful to Representative Chu and Senator Merkley for their leadership in recognizing the essential role that the Title X family planning program plays in our nation’s public health safety net,” said NFPRHA President & CEO Clare Coleman. “Since 1971, Title X-funded providers around the country have helped millions of Americans stay healthy and act responsibly. As the voice for family planning providers who serve the poor and low-income, NFPRHA is proud to support this legislation.”
Title X was signed into law by President Nixon in 1970 and has since provided millions of low-income families with comprehensive health services, contraception and preventive services. Every year Title X family planning providers serve approximately 5 million low-income men and women and help prevent 1.5 million unintended pregnancies.
Some of the services provided by Title X family planning include counseling and education, annual exams, screenings for breast and cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and hypertension and blood pressure.
The Congressional Resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of Title X is co-sponsored by the following members of Congress: Senator Al Franken (D-MN), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), Senator John Kerry (D-MA), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA), Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA), Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA), Rep Barney Frank (D-MA), Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. David Loebsack (D-IA), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY), and Rep. David Wu (OR).
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