Bush HHS Tries End Run On Abstinence-Only Funds

The Bush Administration Department of Health and Human Services isn't getting much rest these days, using every moment of their final few months to leave an indelible ideological mark on government. Last week, the Bush Administration, in the person of Robert W. Patterson of the Children, Family and Youth Services Bureau, issued a letter waiving the annual application process and review for the Title V Abstinence-Only State Grant Program. In the letter obtained by RH Reality Check, Patterson writes, The good news is that with this announcement, states and territories may apply for funds for five years, from FY 2009 through FY 2013. States will not be required to re-apply in the four subsequent years unless they make substantive changes to their program. The 82-page Program Announcement (PDF) says, The project period under this... [read full story]