Gag rule is fiscally irresponsible

As a physician, I strongly oppose the Trump-Pence administration's gag rule. This rule would prevent essential health care providers like Planned Parenthood from participating in the Title X program, the nation's only dedicated program for affordable reproductive health care. As if that's not bad enough, it would dangerously interfere in the provider-patient relationship by gagging providers and preventing them from giving patients information about how or where to find access to abortion.

Title X ensures that every person has access to basic, preventive reproductive health care, such as birth control and cancer screenings, regardless of their income. Not only is Trump's gag rule a direct attack on anyone who can't afford the rising costs of health care, it is fiscally irresponsible. Public investment in reproductive health care is fiscally sound policy. Every dollar invested in reproductive health care nets a savings of over $7, producing $13.6 billion dollars in net public savings per year of investment.

By banning doctors from referring patients in the Title X program for an abortion, Trump's gag rule violates every doctor's commitment to ethical patient care by forcing providers to withhold critical information from patients. As a physician, I oppose this gag rule because I know all patients, regardless of income, deserve access to the best medical care and information possible.

Ramsey Ellis

Hinsdale