Reproductive groups decry U.S. family planning strategy

NEW YORK — The Trump administration has adopted a new strategy for how it issues tens of millions of dollars in federal family-planning grants, giving preference to groups that stress abstinence and making it harder for Planned Parenthood to do business.

Reproductive health groups voiced concerns about changes that Dr. Haywood Brown, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, described as turning “back the clock on women’s health.”

The catalyst for the criticism was an announcement last week by the Department of Health and Human Services of its guidelines and priorities for the next round of Title X grant applications, projected to total $260 million.

The HHS document makes favorable mention of “natural family planning,” which encompasses the rhythm method and other strategies for avoiding pregnancy without using contraceptives like the birth control pill. According to HHS, of 100 couples each year that use natural methods, up to 25 women may become pregnant.

Planned Parenthood, which serves about 1.6 million of the 4 million beneficiaries of Title X, expressed concern that the guidelines were crafted to reduce or eliminate its role in the program.

Planned Parenthood has been the target of repeated attempts by the administration and congressional Republicans to cut off its federal funding because it provides abortions.

Title X has stipulated that adolescents and adults are entitled to obtain contraception through the program on a confidential basis.