FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2017
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, (202) 344-5805, asandusky@nfprha.org 

Congressional Spending Bill Dismisses Growing Demand for Family Planning Services

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

WASHINGTON, DC –  “Today, Congress passed a fiscal year (FY) 2017 omnibus spending package that preserves funding at nearly current levels for the Title X family planning program, a bedrock public health program designed to meet the family planning and other preventive health care needs of low-income women and men across the country. While we are relieved the bill does not fulfill House Republicans’ earlier proposals to eliminate Title X, stakeholders must acknowledge that the program has not received any new service delivery funding for seven straight years, despite a record growth in demand for publicly family planning funded care.

“Chronic funding cuts have severely hampered the network’s capacity to continue to fulfil its mission. In many communities across the nation, an underfunded and overworked safety net has already led to system-wide declines in women and men seeking basic health care, fewer cancer screenings, less treatment for STDs, and diminished access to a full range of contraception. 

“The health of millions of Americans depends on sufficient funding for Title X and other critical health care programs such as the federally qualified health center program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. Congress should ensure the protection of and investment in federal funding for family planning.”

###

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.