Family Planning Clinics (Title X)

Enacted in 1970, Title X of the Public Health Service Act (Public Law 91-572 Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs) is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing high quality and cost-effective family planning and related preventive health services to low-income individuals. Family planning clinics offer a broad range of contraceptive methods and related counseling; as well as breast and cervical cancer screening; pregnancy testing and counseling; screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs); HIV testing; and other patient education and referrals.

Family planning centers consistently encounter opposition and scrutiny in the political arena, including attempts to mischaracterize and defund the Title X program. For decades, however, FTLF has been committed to assisting family planning clinics with a wide variety of work ranging from research and drafting policy papers, to advice and counsel, to developing specialized agreements for Title X recipients and subrecipients, to litigating key cases, to teaching.

A summary of selected examples of our work is below:

Developing and drafting as co-authors “A Natural Fit: Collaborations between Community Health Centers and Family Planning Clinics,” Policy Research Brief #26, Geiger Gibson/ RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative: George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Department of Health Policy (Oct. 2011).
Developing and drafting as co-authors “Assessing and Addressing Legal Barriers to the Clinical Integration of Community Health Centers and Other Community Providers,” white paper for the Commonwealth Fund (July 2011).
Structuring affiliations and collaborations between FQHCs and family planning clinics.
Drafting of numerous Delegate Agreements for clients that are recipients of Title X federal funds.
Litigation representing the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) that challenged the Weldon Amendment of 2005 (the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act) that allows a “conscience clause” protection by prohibiting federal agencies from discriminating against health care entities because they do not offer abortion services or provide coverage or referral for abortions, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Ass’n, Inc. v. Gonzales, 391 F.Supp.2d 200 (D.D.C. 2005).
Litigation representing NFPRHA that challenged the global gag rule regulations, Nat’l Family Planning v. Sullivan, 979 F. 2d 227 (D.C. Cir. 1992).
Litigation representing family planning providers that challenged a de-funding action, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah v. Schweiker, 700 F.2d 710 (D.C. Cir. 1983).
Advising and counseling reproductive health clients on applying for funds.
Advising and counseling clients on 340B Drug Program issues as they relate to Title X.

Lead Attorney — Adam J. Falcone

Partner

“Innovative legal services allow clients to protect their interests and manage their compliance risk without breaking the bank.”