The Trump administration has initiated major layoffs at the Office of Population Affairs, a division within the Health and Human Services Department. These cuts, which have already begun, have raised alarms that the program offering birth control to millions of low-income women could be on the verge of being discontinued. The decision has drawn widespread criticism from advocates and healthcare professionals, who argue that the move could have severe consequences for women’s health and access to reproductive care.
The Office of Population Affairs has been a key provider of free or low-cost contraceptives to millions of women through federal programs. With the layoffs, there are concerns that the agency may no longer have the capacity to fulfill its mission, which could lead to a significant reduction in contraceptive services. Advocacy groups have called on the administration to reverse the decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting access to reproductive health services for vulnerable populations.