Planned Parenthood: Gubernatorial Candidates Must Commit to Restoring Funding
For Immediate Release: June 5, 2017
For Immediate Release: June 5, 2017
Contact: Casey Olesko- [email protected], 201.647.5502
Statement from Christine Sadovy, Legislative and Political Director,
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey
“Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey congratulates the two winners of the New Jersey gubernatorial primary election, Democratic candidate Phil Murphy and Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. Now, with 153 days left until the general election, we call on both candidates to commit to the restoration of funding for family planning services in the state budget.
“Since Governor Christie eliminated funding for family planning services from the state budget in 2010, we have seen what happens when access to reproductive health care is not prioritized by our leaders. New Jersey has experienced a sharp increase in the number of cases of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases – a 35% increase since the last year family planning funding was included in the budget. In half of New Jersey’s counties, the increase has been nearly 50 percent or more. Cases of breast and cervical cancer are also on the rise, with an alarmingly disproportionate impact on communities of color. New cases of breast and cervical cancer are up 0.3% among white women in New Jersey, 6.6% among Black women, and an astounding 25.1% among Latinas.
“Funding for preventive family planning services can help address these alarming trends. Our next governor needs to invest in access to reproductive health care and ensure everyone across the state – regardless of income, race, or gender – can lead healthy lives.
“Public polling data also shows the overwhelming support that voters have for Planned Parenthood and family planning funding. For example, a recent poll from Kaiser Family Foundation shows that 75% of the public support for federal funding of Planned Parenthood, including majority support from Republican men and women."