New York Democrats Urge HHS to Restore $4.3 Million Teen Pregnancy Grants
Updated
Updated · Spectrum News NY1 · Aug 5
New York Democrats Urge HHS to Restore $4.3 Million Teen Pregnancy Grants
2 articles · Updated · Spectrum News NY1 · Aug 5
Summary
A group of New York Democrats asked HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse cuts that hit all three known Teen Pregnancy Prevention Tier 1 direct-service grantees in the state.
The terminated grants provide more than $4.3 million a year and serve about 19,000 young people across New York City, Buffalo and other communities, lawmakers said in a letter seeking reinstatement or bridge funding.
HHS canceled 53 of 67 teen pregnancy prevention grants last month after adopting criteria that favor abstinence, marriage and fertility protection and reject sexually explicit material for minors.
Lawmakers said the abrupt cutoff threatens services relied on by families, schools and communities, with sharper effects in high-poverty areas.
Their appeal comes as New York City teen pregnancies rose 10% from 2021 to 2022 and another 5% from 2022 to 2023, reaching more than 5,300 in 2023.