Congress established the Title X program in 1970 to focus on "population research and voluntary family planning programs."

The statute authorizes the Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) to "to make grants to and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit private entities to assist in the establishment and operation of voluntary family planning projects which shall offer a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and services (including natural family planning methods, infertility services, and services for adolescents)."

The law also specifies that "None of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning."