February 10, 2022

6th Circuit Allows Federal Funding of Abortion Through Title X

One of the first actions of the Biden administration was to end President Trump's "Protect Life Rule," which prevented Title X family planning dollars from going to organizations that commit or refer for abortions. Now, as the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a preliminary injunction that would have paused Biden's rule change, those funds will start going back to abortion organizations.

Additionally, Biden's rule change mandates that Title X recipients counsel and refer women for abortion.

12 attorneys general led by Ohio AG Dave Yost filed a lawsuit to block the rule change in October 2021. Yost wrote in a statement that the purpose of the Protect Life Rule "was to build walls to prevent the funding of abortion with taxpayer money – which remains illegal."

US District Judge Timothy Black did not agree, and he denied the states' request to temporarily pause the rules pending the results of the states' lawsuit. On February 8, 2022, the 6th Circuit followed suit; also denying a request for a preliminary injunction.

The next round of federal grants to Title X recipients will go out in March.