Tennessee Republican criticizes Xavier Becerra for cutting funding due to abortion ban.
Rep. Mark Green Slams HHS Secretary’s Decision to Revoke Funding
Rep. Mark Green (R-TN) strongly criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s recent decision to withdraw millions of dollars in federal family planning funding from Tennessee due to the state’s abortion ban. In a letter sent on Wednesday, Green described the move as “arbitrary and malicious.”
Green emphasized that Title X funding is explicitly prohibited from being used for abortions. He expressed his disbelief at HHS’s decision to eliminate Tennessee’s funding based on their pro-life laws, calling it ridiculous. He questioned how the Biden administration could claim to be pro-woman while cutting off low-income women in Tennessee from essential services such as cancer screenings and pregnancy counseling. Green labeled the administration’s actions as hypocritical.
The Importance of Title X Funding
Title X is a program that provides federal funds to states, enabling low-income individuals to access family planning and preventive health services. These services include birth control, pregnancy testing, and cancer screenings. While federal dollars cannot be used for abortions, healthcare providers are required to provide information about all treatment options, including abortions, to patients who have a positive pregnancy test.
Tennessee’s Abortion Ban and its Impact
However, when Tennessee implemented its abortion ban in August 2022, state law mandated that healthcare providers only share information about options that are legal within the state. This requirement put the state at odds with the Title X statute.
Rep. Mark Green’s Background and Stance
Rep. Mark Green, a former Army flight surgeon who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has a background in emergency medicine administration. He founded two free medical clinics in Tennessee and has a strong pro-life stance, earning an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
Efforts to Address the Funding Loss
In response to the loss of federal funding, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced a budget amendment to compensate for the funding gap and ensure continued care for low-income Tennesseans.
Concerns Addressed by HHS
In June 2022, the HHS Office of Population Affairs released a document addressing concerns about changes to Title X following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which weakened federal constitutional protections for abortion. The document clarified that healthcare providers are still obligated to provide information and counseling about abortion, regardless of its legality in the state. It also emphasized that there are no geographic limits for Title X recipients when making referrals, even if it requires crossing state lines.
Green’s Opposition to HHS Rule
Rep. Green argues that the enforcement of the HHS rule not only goes against the original intent of Title X but also contradicts the Dobbs decision.
Green’s Message to HHS Secretary Becerra
In his letter, Green criticized HHS Secretary Becerra’s understanding of statutory laws and accused the department of targeting Tennesseans due to the administration’s support for the pro-abortion agenda. Green urged HHS to either restore Tennessee’s rightful status under Title X or risk further alienating the state.
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