GPR The Impact of Title X

Title X is the only federal program dedicated en-tirely to family planning and related preventive health care. It is a grant program that supports a diverse network of providers, and its program-matic guidelines effectively set the standards for publicly funded family planning care across the United States. Title X grants sustain a nationwide network of more than 4,100 family planning provider sites throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia, most of which specialize in delivering family planning services.1 The program’s grantees include state and local health departments, and nongovernmental organizations such as federally qualified health centers, Planned Parenthood af-filiates and other independent agencies. Title X prioritizes meeting the needs of those who are disadvantaged by their income or age. Centers receiving any Title X funds must deliver voluntary, confidential services to clients regard-less of their income. Individuals with incomes below the federal poverty level must be provided care free of charge; others are assessed a fee ac-cording to an income-based sliding scale, with those at or above 250 % of poverty charged the full cost of care. Because adolescents are often unable to draw on family resources or insurance while obtaining confidential care, they must be assessed fees based on their own income, instead of on their family’s. Additionally, Title X support enables providers to serve clients with-out insurance coverage and to consistently deliv-er the full package of services needed to promote effective and consistent contraceptive use— especially among those with specialized needs. C reated in 1970 with broad bipartisan sup