A proposal to restrict any family planning clinics that refer patients for abortions from receiving federal funding and to require "clear financial and physical separations" between abortion providers and federally funded clinics was made May 22 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Here are three things to know about the plan:
1. The proposal removes the requirement that clinics tell patients that abortion is an option.
2. The update to the Title X family planning program, which serves low-income Americans, is proposed "so that [providers] are not required to choose between the health of their patients and their own consciences,," according to HHS. The proposal does not ban non-directive abortion counseling.
3. Anti-abortion groups have long advocated for these changes to the Title X program. Planned Parenthood will no longer seek funding under the program, from which it has received millions of dollars per year, according to The Hill.