On March 29, 2022, ABCD—Action for Boston Community Development—received the shocking news that the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Population Affairs, was terminating funding of the anti-poverty organization’s Title X Family Planning program as of March 31, 2022. For more than 50 years, in collaboration with a vital community health center network, ABCD has done an exemplary job of delivering critical health services to more than 30,000 low-income residents and communities of color. Where are our most vulnerable neighbors to turn for these critical services? This reporter had a chance to talk to ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.
SAMPAN: We understand that for the first time in over 50 years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has denied funding for ABCD’s proven family planning and preventive health services which provide critical care to low-income residents of Boston and beyond. What happened?
JOHN J. DREW: I wish I had an answer. First, let me state clearly that ABCD is continuing to offer family planning and preventive health services—we are OPEN! We’ve been operating efficiently and effectively in partnership with 23 community health centers, school based health centers and …
