MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Challenges New Federal Conditions on Title X Family-Planning Grants

Attorney General Keith Ellison joined a multistate lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration unlawfully attached ideological requirements to preventive-health funding. SAINT PAUL, MN (August 30, 2026)  Minnesota has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new conditions that the Trump administration placed on Title X grants supporting contraception, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection services and other preventive care.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and attorneys general from other states and the District of Columbia filed the lawsuit Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

The complaint challenges conditions included in the federal government’s funding announcement for the 2027 Title X program.

The states allege that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is attempting to use the grant process to impose political and ideological requirements that Congress did not authorize.

The federal government had not filed a substantive response to the allegations when this report was prepared.

Minnesota Received $17.1 Million in 2026

Congress created Title X in 1970 as the nation’s only federal grant program dedicated specifically to comprehensive family-planning and related preventive-health services.

The program distributes approximately $286 million nationally each year. Minnesota received approximately $17.1 million in Title X funding in 2026, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Clinics use the money to provide services that can include contraception, pregnancy planning, breast and cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and other preventive care.

Title X frequently serves patients who have low incomes, lack insurance or face barriers to receiving care elsewhere.

Federal law prohibits the use of Title X money to pay for abortions.

States Dispute “Alignment Review”

The lawsuit challenges what federal officials describe as an alignment review for grant applicants.

Minnesota and the other plaintiffs contend that applicants may be disadvantaged or disqualified unless their policies conform to the administration’s positions on sex, contraception, abstinence, diversity programs and gender-affirming care.

The complaint alleges that the funding requirements could pressure providers to recognize only two sexes, deemphasize contraception in favor of abstinence and abandon diversity, equity, inclusion and nondiscrimination practices.

The states argue that those conditions are unrelated to Congress’ purpose in funding Title X and could reduce access to health care for patients who depend on participating clinics.

Lawsuit Alleges Administrative-Law Violations

The complaint asserts that the administration violated the federal Administrative Procedure Act by imposing major policy changes through a grant notice instead of conducting a lawful rulemaking process.

It also alleges that the conditions are arbitrary, exceed federal authority and interfere with states’ administration of public-health programs.

Ellison said Title X is essential to patients seeking basic and preventive care and argued that the federal government cannot withhold funding to force states and providers to accept unrelated ideological conditions.

The lawsuit asks the court to block enforcement of the disputed requirements and preserve access to the grant program while the case proceeds.

The court has not yet ruled on the merits of the states’ claims.

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