Gregoire’s Budget Proposal Slashes Birth Control for Women in Need
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Mobilizes Activists to Reinstate Family Planning Funds SEATTLE – The Governor’s proposed state budget calls for a sharp reduction in funding for birth control and other family planning care for low-income women. This $1.26 million cut is magnified by the loss of millions more in federal matching funds. “Not only does the funding provide critical care for women who might not otherwise be able to access it, it just makes good financial sense,” said Karen Cooper, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “Cutting family planning funds now will result in much higher expenses for the state in the future. Prevention is much cheaper than unintended pregnancies, treating STDs and other diseases, and the delivery and care for premature and unhealthy babies.” The Governor’s budget calls for the elimination of over 40 full-time nurses who provide direct service and birth control for low-income women in community service offices across the state. Thousands of women will lose access to their basic health care needs, including birth control, annual exams, STD and cancer screening, and prenatal care. This cut is slated to go into effect at the end of the month. The proposed Department of Social and Health Services budget cut of $1.26 million will actually result in a total loss of over $12 million in family planning funding for the state’s low-income women. That is because the federal government matches state spending for this family planning program 9 to 1. “Not only is providing low-income women access to family planning care simply the right thing to do, it is in the best interest of the state,” said Cooper. “By restoring this funding in the budget, the state would leverage almost $12 million now, and would save millions more in the future.” “We simply cannot afford not to provide funding for family planning,” Cooper added. “And NARAL Pro-Choice Washington will work tirelessly to restore these funds in the state budget.” NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is mobilizing its statewide network of activists to urge the legislature and the Governor’s office to reinstate this critical funding in the budget. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is the leading grassroots pro-choice advocacy organization in Washington State. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington works to protect every woman’s right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is the state affiliate of NARAL Pro-Choice America. ###
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