Tennessee could miss out on Title X funding due to policies on abortion referrals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Monday that Tennessee could be dismissed from the Title X program because of a state policy about abortion referrals.

Tennessee was disqualified from receiving millions of federal dollars offered through Title X in early 2023. According to a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services, Tennessee was not in compliance with program requirements because of the state’s decision not to inform pregnant clients about all possible options, including abortion.

Tennessee had been a recipient of Title X funding since the program launched in 1970. However, in 2021, the Biden-Harris administration reversed a ban on abortion referrals by clinics that accept Title X funds.

In March 2023, Tennessee health officials were informed that Tennessee no longer complied with Title X because of state policy prohibiting clinics from providing elective abortions as an option.

“The district court thoroughly assessed the balance of interests and found that they did not support granting an injunction,” the appeal read, in part. “The district court’s handling of Tennessee’s claims in denying the motion for a preliminary injunction was consistent with this court’s precedent and did not constitute an abuse of discretion.”

The Title X program funding was meant to help low-income families with family planning; millions went toward the program annually.

“Millions of people across the country rely on essential care — like birth control, STI screenings and treatment, cancer screenings, and other key sexual and reproductive health care services — funded by Title X,” CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, Ashley Coffield, said in a press release.”The state’s decision not to comply with all-options counseling is playing politics with our bodies.”

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