Planned Parenthood Urges Gov. Schwarzenegger to Rescind Harmful Budget Cuts to Women's H...( Critics launch misleading campaign .....),Health

Critics launch misleading campaign

NEW YORK, May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America is urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to rescind his proposal to cut $36 million in family planning funds from the state budget. These cuts would put preventive health care and family planning at risk for countless women in California.

"As a health care provider to more than 700,000 women in California, Planned Parenthood is on the frontline in ensuring that those in need receive essential health care," said Cecile Richards, president, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Ninety-seven percent of the health care we provide is preventive, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, STD testing and treatment and in some cases, primary care. Our goal is to keep women healthy and reduce the alarming number of unintended pregnancies, including among our teens. These budget cuts will jeopardize our ability to provide essential health care."

California's Planned Parenthood health centers are an entry point into the health care system for hundreds of thousands of women and families, and often times their main source of health care. For 60 percent of our patients, we are their primary care provider. Moreover, as a result of the economic downturn more women and families are seeking care at Planned Parenthood because they've lost their job and health insurance. With an estimated 14,000 Americans losing health coverage every day, assuring access to essential women's health care is more important than ever.

In the last eight months, California's Planned Parenthood health centers have seen an increase of nearly 70,000 patient visits for preventive or primary care.

Investing in preventive care actually saves the state money in the short and the long run. FamilyPACT, a family planning program which serves as a model for the nation, is essential c
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