Types of Family Planning Agencies

The United States Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Population Affairs is responsible for educating and helping people with a variety of reproductive health issues. To meet this goal, federal, state, Title X and non-profit agencies work around the clock to educate, inform, protect and help people with family planning. These organizations don't just help women in need, they also help couples, men, families and teenagers throughout the country with their research programs and facilities.

Federal Agencies

• The United States Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Population Affairs reports directly to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Health, and it has three programs specifically structured to uphold its mission statement.

  The Family Planning program helps individuals decide how many children they want and limit the number of unplanned pregnancies. The outlined program stresses education, counseling and medical services.

  The Adolescent Pregnancy program encourages teenagers to refrain from sex, teaches contraceptive use and educates adolescents about sexuality.

  Research and Education programs are vital to keeping Americans healthy and preventing unwanted pregnancies. These programs continue studying and learning about pregnancy, childbearing, sexual behavior and reproductive health to give people the most up-to-date information possible.

  Federal programs are also responsible for giving out Title X funding, a federal grant dedicated to providing low-income and uninsured people with reproductive health services.

State Agencies

• State agencies are responsible for dispersing federal funds to clinics, hospitals, universities and other Title X healthcare providers. The federal government allows each state to apply its own rules about reproductive health issues, as long as state law doesn't conflict with federal regulations.

  Many states have restrictions about abortions that the state level family planning agencies have legislated. The Guttmacher Institute, a recognized authority on reproductive health issues, reports that 32 states prohibit using state funds to perform abortions. These states do allow clinics to use federal funding to cover abortion costs. In addition, the clinics may use state funds if the abortion is necessary to save the mother's life or any pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.

  Other state regulations concerning abortion include restriction of abortions to a hospital, and laws requiring a physical and financial separation from abortion to receive state funding.

Title X Agencies

• In 2008, the Office of Population Control reported more than 4,500 clinics receiving Title X funding. Title X locations include state and local health departments, tribal organizations, hospitals, universities and faith-based organizations. Almost 75 percent of counties throughout the United States have at least one clinic receiving Title X funding.

  Title X agencies can't use federal funding for abortions. In fact, agencies can't use funds for any program offering abortion as a method of family planning, regardless of the state's law on terminating pregnancy.

  Many clinics funded by Title X provide preventive screenings and reproductive health education and treatment. Uninsured and low-income families are given priority access to pelvic and breast exams, STD screening, pregnancy tests, referrals and HIV counseling.

Planned Parenthood

• Planned Parenthood opened its doors more than 90 years ago, and currently has 85 affiliates operating more than 820 healthcare locations nationwide. Planned Parenthood has two offices, in Washington, D.C., and New York City, which help to unify the efforts of the independent organizations operating under its name.

  Planned Parenthood locations are independent healthcare providers, so they each offer different services. Some locations perform abortions, others only offer referrals to abortion providers. Planned Parenthood offers pregnant women counseling, adoption advice and pre-natal care.

  Other important healthcare options Planned Parenthood affiliates provide include HIV testing, pelvic and breast exams, emergency contraception, birth control, healthcare for men, treatment for urinary tract infections, STD screenings, vaccines and counseling on lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual issues.