Feds push back on states targeting Planned Parenthood funds

The Obama administration has proposed barring states and other recipients of federal family planning grants from placing their own eligibility restrictions on where the money can go.

The move undermines efforts by 13 Republican-led states to prevent such money from going to Planned Parenthood. The Department of Health and Human Services is accepting public comments about the proposed changes until Oct. 7. Title X is a federal program designed to provide contraception services, pregnancy tests, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and cancer screenings at little or no cost to low-income patients. It does not pay for abortions. Planned Parenthood relies on Title X to provide services to 1.5 million patients across the country, making it the medical provider for about a third of patients served by the program.