Statement of Administration Policy: S.J. Res. 41 - A Joint Resolution Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services Relating to "Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client-Centered, Quality Family Planning Services"

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(Senate)
(Sen. Rubio, R-FL, and 36 cosponsors)

Enacted in 1970 under President Nixon as part of the Public Health Service Act, the Title X family planning program is a critical part of America's public health safety net. Title X family planning clinics play an essential role in delivering high-quality, affordable health care, particularly for low-income patients. They ensure access to preventive health services and quality family planning care, including accurate information and referrals—based on a patient's needs—for medical services such as birth control, STD screenings, and cancer screenings.

The 2021 HHS rule realigns the nation's family planning program with nationally recognized standards of care; reinforces the program's emphasis on quality, equity, and dignity for all individuals who seek Title X services; and modernizes the more than 50-year-old program to better reflect the current health care system. The rule will ensure that the predominantly low-income clients who rely on Title X services as their usual source of medical care have access to the same quality health care, including full medical information and referrals, that higher-income clients and clients with private insurance are able to access.

This resolution would undermine patients' ability to make informed decisions about their health care. If Congress were to pass this resolution, the President would veto it.