Title X (ten) of the Public Health Service Act, the cornerstone of the federal domestic family-planning program, was enacted with broad bipartisan support in l970.  Each year, approximately 5 million young and low-income women and men receive basic health care through the 4,600 clinics nationwide receiving Title X funds.  For many women, particularly those who do not qualify for Medicaid and those who have no health insurance, Title X clinics provide the only basic health care that they receive. 

By providing women access to family-planning services, Title X gives women real choices over their reproductive lives, providing a realistic and effective mechanism to reduce unintended pregnancy and make abortion less necessary.  However, since gaining the majority in the 1994 elections, anti-choice lawmakers in Congress have repeatedly attempted to defund the program and restrict minors' access.  Congress has also failed to provide adequate funding levels for Title X.

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