Planned Parenthood sues over Trump’s changes to teen pregnancy prevention program

Multiple Planned Parenthood affiliates are suing the Trump administration over changes to a federal grant program geared toward cutting teen pregnancy rates. 

The changes, issued through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) in April, emphasize abstinence education and programs that have not been rigorously tested. 

{mosads}Planned Parenthood argues in its lawsuit that the FOA goes against congressional intent for the program because it does not require the use of programs that have been “proven effective through rigorous evaluation.”

Previous FOAs issued under the Obama administration required programs be tested and proven to work. 

The Teen Pregnancy and Prevention Partnership (TPPP), created under the Obama administration, funded projects across the country working to end teen pregnancy. 

But it was criticized by conservative groups for mostly funding comprehensive sex ed programs, which can include abstinence as well as teachings about how to use contraception. 

Planned Parenthood argues the administration’s FOA is unlawful because it disadvantages applicants offering evidence-based programs. 

“The 2018 Tier 1 FOA undermines the entire statutory purpose of the TPP Program to support rigorously evaluated, evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention initiatives, by disadvantaging applications committed to offering evidence-based programming and privileging those offering un-vetted and unscientific curricula,” Planned Parenthood said in its lawsuit. 

Because of the changes, Planned Parenthood faces “increased competition for grant funding,” are “unlawfully disadvantaged” and “face an imminent risk of irreparable injury to its programs and residents,” the suit argues. 

Planned Parenthood also argued the FOAs were issued as a pretext for ending the program. 

It is asking the court to stop the Department of Health and Human Services from using the new FOA to review applications and award funding. 

In a statement, Planned Parenthood said the lawsuit seeks to protect the future of the program. 

“If successful, the lawsuit will ensure that the TPP program maintains its evidence-based principles and that new grantees are not forced to push dangerous [abstinence only until marriage] curriculums,” the statement said. 

The suit was filed in the United States District Court in Spokane, Wash., and New York. 

“As a result of the administration’s action, young people will not have access to the information they need to take care of their health,” said Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We will always fight to empower young people with education and full, accurate information.”

The TPPP has faced a tumultuous time throughout the Trump administration.

Last summer, the administration ended grants two years early for TPPP grantees, leading to multiple lawsuits. 

Federal judges in multiple cases ruled in favor of the grantees, ordering the administration to process their applications for the final two years of funding.