Threats to family planning loom large in Montana, U.S.

Maternal deaths often point to the conditions in which people live and work, said one researcher connected to a new study on maternal deaths. Photo via Getty Images

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a party line, federal funding bill that would completely eliminate funding for Title X, our nation’s only program dedicated solely to providing affordable, family planning services. To put it bluntly, they want to defund a program that provides contraception to people who want contraception but can’t afford contraception.

This doesn’t make sense.

If the U.S. House of Representatives’ funding bill is enacted, this shortsighted, politically-motivated proposal would be disastrous for the tens of thousands of patients that rely on Montana’s network of 22 Title X family planning clinics.

Title X is truly a lifeline for millions of people across the country, the majority of whom have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. In Montana, more than 18,000 people turn to Title X for care every year for indispensable contraceptive care and vital sexual and reproductive health services including: More than 4,100 breast exams, 3,600 cervical cancer screenings, and 21,000 screenings for sexually transmitted infections.

Despite the program’s successful track record, Title X has been flat funded for more than a decade and subject to politically motivated attacks like this recent House funding bill that eliminates the program altogether. Without Title X, Montanans who want birth control but can’t afford birth control would have limited access to a longstanding network of health agencies across our state including Bridgercare, community health centers, Planned Parenthoods and health departments.

Again, this just doesn’t make sense.

Birth control is a public health imperative that has been used by 99% of sexually active women in the U.S. and has overwhelming support among Americans. But the science and the near universal public support for birth control are simply dismissed for ideologues’ gain.

We see every day that the assumption that “even though Roe vs. Wade has been overturned, at least people have access to contraception” is far from reality in Montana communities. Attacks against the legitimacy and legality of contraception have intensified, mis- and disinformation is rampant, and efforts to target access to high-quality, confidential contraceptive care are on the rise.

At a time when people are already suffering due to more cruel restrictions on abortion access, Congress should be making it easier for people to get the contraceptive care they need by bolstering funding for the Title X program, not gutting it. The U.S. House of Representatives has truly failed to meet the moment by suggesting the elimination of Title X and pushing highly qualified providers to the financial edge.

After more than 20 years in family planning work, I see the extraordinary impact that contraceptive care and sexual health services can have on people’s health, lives and future. I also see the dedication, expertise and thought that our healthcare providers give so generously to their patients, knowing the impact it will have on their lives. I urge Congress to fully fund Title X. Without this essential funding, our patients and communities suffer.

Stephanie McDowell is the executive director of Bridgercare and Montana Family Planning in Bozeman.