Planned Parenthood affiliates ask court to continue grants for teen pregnancy programs (The Hill)

Saturday Mar 17th, 2018

Planned Parenthood affiliates have filed a motion in court to continue federal funding for programs receiving federal grants under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP).

The Trump administration last year announced it would end five-year grants for 81 institutions two years early. The grants were given under the Obama administration.

The TPPP's initiatives are aimed at reducing teen pregnancy in 31 states, with a priority on populations with high teen pregnancy rates. Baltimore Commissioner of Health Dr. Leana Wen blasted the Trump administration last year, saying the White House gave "no communication" or warning that the grants would end.

“There was no communication about the reason. The notice of the award just stated that instead of a five-year grant, it is now a three-year grant,” Wen said last November.

“We don’t have another way to fill this deficit. This will leave a huge hole in our ability to deliver health education,” she added.

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When I’ve asked experts about these approaches, it’s not that any of them are bad. It’s that they fall short. For instance, Leana Wen, the former health commissioner of Baltimore (and soon-to-be president of Planned Parenthood), said that the Support for Patients and Communities Act “is simply tinkering around the edges.”

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