The Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday ripped a report in The Washington Post that it had banned seven words from documents being prepared for future budget reports, calling it a "complete mischaracterization of discussions regarding the budget-formulation process."
"The assertion that HHS has banned words is a complete mischaracterization of discussions regarding the budget-formulation process," the agency said in a statement.
"HHS will continue to use the best scientific evidence available to improve the health of all Americans," the statement continued. "HHS also strongly encourages the use of outcome and evidence data in program evaluations and budget decisions."
The Post disclosed Friday that the seven words were "transgender," "fetus," "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "evidence-based," and "science-based."
Staffers at the Centers for Disease Control learned of the list during a meeting Thursday with top budget officials, the Post reports.
But neither the CDC, nor the Office of Budget and Management, which oversees the content in budget reports, disclosed why the words were outlawed.
The report brought widespread condemnation from Democrats and reproductive rights organizations, including Planned Parenthood.
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