Planned Parenthood Statement on Governor Jay Inslee’s Investment in Family Planning

OLYMPIA, WASH. – Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawai‘i (PPVNH), issued the following statement in response to the release of Governor Jay Inslee’s 2021-23 operating budget:

“Planned Parenthood applauds Gov. Inslee for his forward-looking budget investments during this difficult time. In a time of economic insecurity and rising unemployment due to the pandemic, Washingtonians need access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health care from trusted providers.

“The investment of $5 million in state funding will bring in an additional $15.5 million federal funding and ensure that hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians with low incomes can access family planning care. People who are low income, immigrants, or without insurance often rely on Planned Parenthood and other safety net providers as their only point of contact in the health care system. While further investment in basic reproductive health care is still needed, Gov. Inslee’s budget proposal makes significant progress in the fight for equitable reproductive health care access.

“Gov. Inslee has long been a champion for reproductive health care, including his fight against the Trump Administration’s attack on Title X, the passage of the Reproductive Health Access for All Act and Reproductive Parity Act, and his steadfast commitment to ensuring abortion remains safe and legal in the state. The investment in family planning services outlined yesterday continues his legacy of protecting and advancing reproductive health and rights as a part of the fight for the basic health care we need more than ever in the face of the pandemic.

“As a safety net provider, Planned Parenthood offers essential, time-sensitive care that is critical, especially amid a crisis, providing services that keep patients out of otherwise overwhelmed hospitals. This funding will help patients access the care they need to avoid unintended pregnancies, allowing them to plan their families while saving the state money. We are proud of our forward-looking leadership in Washington and we look forward to working with legislators to build on this investment and ensure the full range of sexual and reproductive health care remains accessible in the state.”

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Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawai‘i (PPVNH) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization educating residents and policy-makers about reproductive health issues in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Hawaiʻi. PPVNH lobbies and educates to advance Planned Parenthood's mission and also engages in limited electoral activities.