FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 9, 2016
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-293-3114 ext. 207

White House Budget Falls Short on Family Planning

Statement from Clare Coleman, President & CEO of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA)

WASHINGTON, DC – “NFPRHA is relieved the president’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget request includes $300 million for Title X, a modest increase in funding for the nation's family planning program. Unfortunately, we believe the president missed a prime opportunity to build on his legacy of improved public health by dedicating the resources needed to truly meet the growing demand of publicly funded family planning care in this country.
 
“President Obama fought tooth and nail with lawmakers to raise spending caps for the next two years. However, today’s budget request is a product of the dysfunction of Washington. Partisan politics have made it increasingly difficult to restore funding for critical safety-net programs, such as Title X, even to pre-sequestrations levels despite the reality that demand far outweighs the capacity to serve. 

“Years of harmful funding cuts to the nation’s family planning program have compromised low-income women and men’s ability to access the high-quality family planning care and education they need to stay healthy and care for their families. 

“NFPRHA is calling on Congress to increase funding for family planning as the FY 2017 budget and appropriations cycle proceeds.” 

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NFPRHA is a membership organization representing providers and administrators committed to helping people get the family planning education and care they need to make the best choices for themselves and their loved ones. NFPRHA works to enhance the ability of thousands of nurse practitioners, doctors, and other health professionals to provide high-quality family planning care through training and advocacy. For more information, visit nationalfamilyplanning.org.