Quick Action
The House Appropriations Bill eliminates the Title X program, which provides basic healthcare such as contraception and cancer screenings to nearly 4 million low-income people, including 20,000 Mainers. Urge Representatives Pingree and Poliquin to support this program that provides vital health services and prevented nearly 300,000 abortions in 2015 alone.
Health Care, Reproductive Rights & Disability Rights Working Group C2A
THE ISSUE
Created in 1970 with broad bi-partisan support, Title X (Title Ten) is the only federal grant program focused entirely on providing family planning and reproductive health services to low-income and uninsured patients, including those who don’t qualify for Medicaid. The program provides contraception, cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, clinic personnel training, family planning research, community outreach/education, among other services. Why is Title X important? In 2015 alone, contraceptive services provided by Title X-funded clinics prevented more than 277,800 abortions and reduced the teen pregnancy rate by 44%. In 2010, 25% of women in the U.S. who received contraceptive care and 10% of women who received a pap smear for cancer screening did so at a Title X clinic. Another report found that every dollar invested in the Title X program saves Medicaid $4 in pregnancy and newborn care spending. For the fifth time in seven years, Republicans in the House are trying to eliminate the Title X program. The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up the Labor, Health and Human Services budget Wednesday, July 19!
THE ACTION
Contact Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poloquin and ask them to protect Title X programs.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
