Rep. Black: HHS proposed rule another “backdoor maneuver” to benefit Planned Parenthood

A new rule proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services could prevent states from blocking Title X funding to abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood, says Rep. Diane Black of Tennessee.

In its own words, the proposed rule “precludes project recipients from using criteria in their selection of subrecipients that are unrelated to the ability to deliver services to program beneficiaries in an effective manner.”

According to Black, the proposed rule is an attempt to undermine the authority of states (recipients) to redistribute Title X funds (federal money for family planning services) away from abortion businesses (subrecipients) like Planned Parenthood. In a statement, Black explained…

This latest stunt from President Obama’s Department of Health and Human Services should surprise absolutely no one. We’ve known all along that the Obama Administration will go to untold lengths to protect its friends in the big abortion industry. After all, this Administration has previously used backdoor maneuvers to line Planned Parenthood’s pockets with Obamacare navigator grants and praised the abortion provider’s ‘high ethical standard’ even after it was caught trafficking in baby body parts.

She continued, explaining that the proposed rule may block states from funding health care providers who would best serve the needs of citizens. Calling on pro-lifers across the country for support, Black committed to fight the proposed rule change. “We must use the full force of Congress and the grassroots strength of the national pro-life movement to defeat this absurd rule and prevent the Obama Administration from acting unilaterally to carry out political favors and prop up a scandal-ridden abortion provider,” she concluded.