Tennessee Sues Federal Government Over Withheld Family Planning Funds Amid Abortion Ban

Tennessee, disqualified from receiving Title X funds due to its abortion ban, takes legal action against the U.S. government for withholding federal money supporting family planning services, amid accusations of political maneuvering and debates over informational requirements at clinics.

• Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has sued the federal government on the grounds of wrongful withholding of millions of dollars in family planning funds. This occurred after Tennessee refused to comply with federal requirements for clinics to provide abortion referrals, contradicting the state's current abortion ban.
• Tennessee was disqualified from the Title X family planning program, which provides around $7.1 million annually to help nearly 100 clinics provide health care services primarily to low-income women, many from minority communities. The state has been a participant since the program's inception in 1970.
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) informed Tennessee that it was non-compliant with Title X because of its policy preventing clinics from offering information on illegal pregnancy termination options in the state. The state appealed this decision and the appeal is ongoing.
• In September, HHS announced that Tennessee’s Title X funds would predominantly be directed to Planned Parenthood, which would distribute the funds to its clinics in Tennessee. Republican Gov. Bill Lee criticized this move, accusing the federal government of using federal money to support a 'radical political organization'.
• Tennessee is increasingly rejecting federal funding to avoid compliance with regulations like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion access. GOP lawmakers are considering cutting off nearly $1.8 billion in federal education funds, the majority of which is intended to assist low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities.

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