Web Briefing for Journalists – Reproductive Health in the Trump Era: Implications of Recent Federal and Judicial Action

The day after the midterm elections, the Trump Administration moved forward with anticipated regulatory changes governing employer exemption from the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) contraceptive coverage mandate based on religious or moral objections. That same day, a proposed rule was issued changing how health plans in states that do not ban abortion coverage from their ACA Marketplace plans must separately bill and collect payments for that coverage.

The Trump Administration has also proposed changes to the Title X federal family planning program for low-income women. The new funding guidelines for applicants were released last week for grants beginning in April 2019. Final regulations are expected soon governing the Title X program; the proposed rule emphasizes natural family planning and abstinence and could effectively disqualify Planned Parenthood and other providers of abortion.

Additionally, there will be a decision soon on whether the U.S. Supreme Court will take up two cases, from Louisiana and Kansas, that seek to disqualify Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid.

On Wednesday, November 14, KFF’s Alina Salganicoff and Laurie Sobel led a web briefing to explain what this flurry of federal activity may mean for women, their providers, and future policy directions. They made a brief presentation and answered questions from participating journalists.

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