The next Pennsylvania state budget needs to do more for sexual and reproductive rights
For Immediate Release: July 1, 2021 (Updated: July 1, 2021, 6 a.m.)
2021 Pennsylvania State Budget includes millions of dollars for crisis pregnancy centers, deceptive non-medical centers that dissuade people from seeking abortion care
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Yesterday, Governor Tom Wolf signed the 2021 state budget after it was rammed through the legislature by Republicans late last Friday evening. The quick passage of the budget gave no time for public input on including funding for sexual and reproductive healthcare. However, the budget includes funding for crisis pregnancy centers or CPCs.
Crisis pregnancy centers or CPCs are non-medical centers that lie to and deceive patients in an attempt to dissuade them from seeking an abortion. They target low-income people, people of color, and people who don’t have access to a regular doctor.
“Pregnant people need and deserve to have accurate and comprehensive information in order to make their own decisions about abortion,” said Signe Espinoza, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) Interim Executive Director. “The state budget should absolutely not be funding unethical, deceptive crisis pregnancy centers. Pennsylvanians deserve real, comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare.”
The state legislature is set to return for session in September, and it is time they prioritize proactive legislation addressing the needs of Pennsylvanians, including sexual and reproductive health care. We are still living through a pandemic, and we are still left with many unsolved issues — addressing contraceptive deserts, maternal mortality, raising the minimum wage, and enacting LGBTQ protections.
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) is disappointed in the lack of transparency around the budget passing quickly, and most importantly, that the budget does not cover many needs of Pennsylvanians.
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ABOUT PLANNED PARENTHOOD PENNSYLVANIA ADVOCATES
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates (PPPA) exists to create a Pennsylvania where sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion, is accessible, affordable, and affirming for all. We achieve this, in partnership with the 3 Planned Parenthood affiliates in Pennsylvania, through electoral and advocacy campaigns, lobbying, and organizing.