The census is a headcount of everyone living in the United States regardless of immigration status. The Constitution requires that a census take place every 10 years. The 2020 census is here, and it has big implications for sexual and reproductive health care. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, you can safely get counted—this is the first time the census can be taken online!
It has never been easier to respond on your own.
Why should I complete the 2020 census?
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The census determines how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal, state, and private sector money are spent on infrastructure, public transportation, schools, and more — including a lot of different health care programs.
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Census data will determine the number of seats New York gets in Congress.
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It’s really, really important that every New Yorker in every community be counted in the 2020 census. If not, over the next 10 years we’ll miss out on jobs, money for our children’s classrooms, access to health care, and more. That money is our tax dollars, and it should come back to us!
How do I get counted?
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Online - Go to 2020census.gov
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Phone - Call 844-330-2020
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Paper - Everyone will receive a paper questionnaire in the mail by April 16th
All Census data is confidential and cannot be shared with any law enforcement agency, including ICE and police.
A fair and accurate 2020 census is essential to getting the funding we need for crucial sexual and reproductive health care services. Health care is a human right, but without access, it isn’t really a right at all.
Census data determines things like eligibility to participate in a federal program and the funding levels for that program. Everyone deserves to be eligible for health care services, regardless of geographic location, age, race, gender, ethnicity, or immigration status. Without an accurate count of those things, crucial communities that are already often underserved by or even excluded from these programs, due to years of systemic racism, will continue to be left out.
Examples of programs that rely on census data include State Medicaid funding and reimbursement levels, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Title X Family Planning Grants, Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grants, and Social Services Block Grants.
It’s critical that we all do our part and complete the census for the future of New York and the health and safety of our communities. Best of all, it’s a great activity to do from home as we all practice social distancing.
Get counted today! The future of New York depends on it.
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