[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 3 (Monday, January 25, 1993)]
[Pages 87-88]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Memorandum on the Title X ``Gag Rule''

 January 22, 1993

Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Subject: The Title X ``Gag Rule''

    Title X of the Public Health Services Act provides Federal funding 
for family planning clinics to provide services for low-income patients. 
The Act specifies that Title X funds may not be used for the performance 
of abortions, but places no restrictions on the ability of clinics that 
receive Title X funds to provide abortion counseling and referrals or to 
perform abortions using non-Title X funds. During the first 18 years of 
the program, medical professionals at Title X clinics provided complete, 
uncensored information, including nondirective abortion counseling. In 
February 1988, the Department of Health and Human Services adopted 
regulations, which have become known as the ``Gag Rule,'' prohibiting 
Title X recipients from providing their patients with information, 
counseling, or referrals concerning abortion. Subsequent attempts by the 
Bush Administration to modify the Gag Rule and ensuing litigation have 
created confusion and uncertainty about the current legal status of the 
regulations.
    The Gag Rule endangers women's lives and health by preventing them 
from receiving complete and accurate medical information and interferes 
with the doctor-patient relationship by prohibiting information that

[[Page 88]]

medical professionals are otherwise ethically and legally required to 
provide to their patients. Furthermore, the Gag Rule contravenes the 
clear intent of a majority of the members of both the United States 
Senate and House of Representatives, which twice passed legislation to 
block the Gag Rule's enforcement but failed to override Presidential 
vetoes.
    For these reasons, you have informed me that you will suspend the 
Gag Rule pending the promulgation of new regulations in accordance with 
the ``notice and comment'' procedures of the Administrative Procedure 
Act. I hereby direct you to take that action as soon as possible. I 
further direct that, within 30 days, you publish in the Federal Register 
new proposed regulations for public comment.
    You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in 
the Federal Register.
                                            William J. Clinton