Here's the Press Statement Released by National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association moments ago:

MEDIA ALERT

Providers Applaud the President’s Commitment to Family Planning

Statement of Mary Jane Gallagher

President & CEO, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association

“Family Planning providers are ecstatic about the bold step towards universal health care that President Obama has laid out in the Fiscal Year 2010 budget outline he will submit to Congress this morning. We are thrilled that the President articulated a commitment to fix our broken health care system while ensuring access to family planning services in his Budget outline.

Quality, affordable health care is essential for every single person in this country. The inclusion of a provision to expand eligibility for Medicaid funded family planning services and a substantial increase in funding for Title X will go a long way to reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion in this country. With more than 17.5 Million women of child bearing age with inadequate access to quality reproductive health care –the numbers of pregnancies and abortions will continue to climb, if there is not a substantial investment in both of these programs.

It will not be easy to achieve, but if elected officials are willing to set politics aside for our nation’s well being then we can get it done. The President’s Budget works towards these goals in part by making common-sense improvements to existing health care programs, including giving states the option to expand eligibility for Medicaid-funded family planning services.

Giving states the option to expand eligibility for family planning services under Medicaid will better the quality of life for millions of low-income and uninsured women and families, while saving hundreds of millions of tax payer dollars. Our nation’s family planning providers look forward to a significant investment in reproductive health care to assist the millions of women and families who are currently in need.

Now, Members of Congress must step forward and do their part to support this budget, its provision for a new reserve fund for health care reform and a significant investment in family planning services.”

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The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) is a vital membership organization of dedicated family planning providers – public health departments, hospitals, general health providers and stand-alone reproductive health caregivers.