Family-planning needs have a way of persisting from year to year, regardless of which political agenda is prevalent at the time. So despite the unfair constraints placed on health-care clinics supported by federal funds, the work of providing the most complete health advice to patients must continue.

That is why the administration of Gov. David Ige followed the right instinct both in joining the legal fight against those constraints, and in refusing to participate in the program if it means patients can’t be counseled on their full options.

But with that comes the responsibility of helping nonprofit clinics on six islands, which generally serve Hawaii’s lower-income population, to restore enough funds to keep services going. There are at least encouraging first steps in that direction — taxpayer- funded assistance that should be bolstered through private donations as well.

Further, Planned Parenthood operations in Hawaii and across the nation are in similar dire straits, with those clinics also exiting the program.

The cause of this disruption is a family planning federal grant program known as Title X. The use of federal funds for abortion services has long been prohibited by law, but now, the Trump administration additionally has implemented new rules that prohibit Title X grantees from even referring patients elsewhere for an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or medical emergency.

While the rule was being finalized earlier this year, Ige already had telegraphed his intention to refuse the funds rather than impose any final rule of that kind on the clinics receiving the grants. The administration confirmed last week that it will not draw funding from Title X, at least pending the outcome of the current lawsuit challenging the new rules and concurrent efforts to consider procurement options.

In March, Hawaii joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general who assert in the suit that the “gag rule” unconstitutionally constrains providers, without due process, from giving medical counsel on abortion rights. The court should put a hold on this rule as soon as possible, and ultimately strike it down.

But none of that is likely to happen quickly, at least not quickly enough to manage the demand for these Title X-funded services, ranging from cancer screening to pelvic exams and contraception.

Hawaii’s Planned Parenthood was among the first to feel the pain, losing its Title X grant last spring. The agency’s affiliates in four other states similarly had their grants rejected, without explanation.

Then last week, the national organization announced it would refuse the funds at all its local operations rather than comply with the new rule on abortion counseling.

Anticipating the loss of funding, last session the state Legislature passed House Bill 116, which included $750,000 for services. But this is only 37% of the $2 million that previously went to 29 sites under the state grant.

It’s unclear what other alternative funding source can be tapped within the state budget, said Janice Okubo, Department of Health (DOH) spokeswoman.

Laurie Field, Hawaii state director for Planned Parenthood’s advocacy arm, said the organization is vigorously raising funds but would not turn away any client unable to pay.

Clearly, much help is needed. There’s a “donate” button at plannedparenthood.org/health-center/hi for Hawaii’s two clinics. And the Title X grant funded 58% of the DOH family-planning services delivered by 12 contracts on six islands. Find a link to a list online (health.hawaii.gov/mchb/home/family-planning-program), at the bottom.

These services are critical. For those who agree, now’s the time to help — while hoping this unjust rule is revoked in the end.