Save Family Planning!
House Democrats announced this morning that in a show of bipartisanship, they will cut over $200 million from the stimulus package that has been earmarked for family planning services. This comes just hours after Nancy Pelosi defended the program Sunday on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Pelosi told Stephanopoulos that family planning services reduce cost. "States are in terrible fiscal budget crises now," she said. "[This program] will reduce costs to the state and federal government." Despite her commitment to the program, House Democrats announced this morning that under pressure from President Barack Obama, the program will be cut from the stimulus package because it fails to create jobs. Essential services are on the line! These cuts will significantly reduce family planning services available to low-income women, the population of women who need them most. Unintended pregnancies are directly linked to poverty and in this time of economic crisis, women need to be able to plan their pregnancies and to utilize and access contraceptive services. We cannot let Oregon women suffer. This stimulus package is meant to support Americans, all Americans. We must ensure it supports and protects Oregon women. Here in Oregon we are facing a budget shortfall of almost $1 Billion. Many of the essential services that are being cut include family planning services. These federal cuts will only further decimate the services we so desperately need right here at home. Unintended pregnancy is the number one reason for women to fall into poverty. Family planning services greatly reduce the health care costs related to unintended pregnancies and the human costs to our families and communities. The Senate will be voting on this bill in the next day or two, with the House vote to follow very shortly thereafter. We cannot allow this package to go through without protecting our most vital services! Tell them they cannot let this package go through without funding for critical family planning services!
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