I recently saw a 17 year old patient in the emergency room who I’ll call Lisa who brings to life why we are in need of more Title X funding for family planning services, not less funding.

Lisa told me that she was denied birth control from her pediatrician because her provider said she “shouldn’t be having sex.”

Upon performing a physical and addressing some of Lisa’s concerns, I diagnosed her with herpes and encouraged her to use birth control if she doesn’t want to be pregnant. Lisa denied any birth control from the emergency room because she was there with her mother.

I referred Lisa to an outpatient clinic funded by Title X who would be able to provide her with birth control and compassionate health care. If Title X funding goes away, Lisa will have less options for affordable birth control, or at all, given the restrictions she’s already faced.