A coalition of 23 state attorneys general in demanding the Trump Administration reverse its decision to withhold tens of millions of dollars in Title X funding — the nation’s only federal program dedicated to family planning for low-income and uninsured individuals.
In a joint letter sent to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the attorneys general warned that the sudden funding cut will drastically reduce access to critical health services, particularly in poor and rural communities. Title X clinics offer care like contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings, and prenatal services.
“Exactly one month ago, the Trump Administration decided to withhold tens of millions of dollars in Title X funding,” said California Attorney General Bonta. “Today, my fellow attorneys general and I are urging the Trump Administration to do the right thing.”
“The federal administration continues to play politics with the lives of the American people,” said New York Attorney General James. “By slashing funding to necessary health care clinics and providers, they are putting millions of Americans at risk while forcing states to clean up the mess. This cruel and shortsighted attack on essential health care will have disastrous impacts in every corner of our country. My fellow attorneys general and I are calling on the administration to reverse this mistaken policy.”
“Withholding Title X funding puts at risk the health of low-income individuals across the country. These misguided actions directly harm poor and rural communities, making it even harder for them to access critical healthcare services,” said New Jersey Attorney General Platkin. “Income should never determine anyone’s access to family planning services, cancer screenings, STI prevention, and other essential health services. Secretary Kennedy and the Trump Administration must reverse this devastating decision immediately.”
In some states, including California, Hawai‘i, and Maine, all Title X funding has been halted. In California alone, nearly half of Title X providers report looming layoffs, with over 60% expecting immediate service reductions. One clinic is already preparing to close its doors.
The attorneys general argue that there is no legitimate justification for the funding cuts, noting that HHS has offered no evidence to support its vague claims of civil rights violations by grantees. They also cite the damaging effects of similar Title X restrictions imposed by the Trump Administration in 2019, which led to a 60% drop in patients receiving services nationwide.
According to estimates from the Guttmacher Institute, at least 834,000 people — around 30% of those served — will lose access to care in the first year alone if the funding is not restored.
States now face a difficult choice: divert already strained public funds to cover the gap or prepare for spikes in unintended pregnancies, STIs, and other public health crises.
“The unprecedented action by the Trump Administration to withhold 22 federal Title X grants—25% of the Title X network—leaves approximately 842,000 people across the United States without access to Title X-funded services,” said Clare Coleman, president & CEO, National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA). “The consequences of withholding funding are devastating. The loss of Title X means hundreds of thousands of patients are at risk of losing access to critical health care, including contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and cancer screenings. Affected grantees and their health centers simply do not have the resources to operate for weeks or months without Title X funding. NFPRHA is taking legal action to defend its members, the essential health care they provide access to, and the patients they serve.”
“Millions of Americans rely on the essential health care services supported by Title X funds, including breast and cervical screenings, well-woman exams, STI screenings and treatment, and many reproductive health services,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Withholding this critical funding from states is just another irresponsible and unjustified move by the Trump White House, especially in the absence of any evidence that the states and providers affected violated federal law. While Michigan has not yet been impacted by this move, our providers could be next. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to immediately restore Title X funding.”
“Hawai‘i has been deprived of all Title X funding, jeopardizing our residents’ access to vital healthcare,” said Deputy Solicitor General Caitlyn Carpenter. “We know from prior experience what happens when the federal government interferes with Title X. People experience an increase in serious health harms and states bear higher burdens. We urge Secretary Kennedy to reverse course and fully fund these critical programs.”
“There is no role for partisan pandering and interference when it comes to our healthcare. Abortion and contraception are safe, legal and accessible in Connecticut, and we’re not about to let Donald Trump change that. This cruel act seeks to abruptly deny healthcare to tens of thousands of women and patients across our state, and we stand with Planned Parenthood to fight back,” said Connecticut Attorney General Tong.
Joining California and Hawai‘i in the letter are attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
