On Monday, June 20, 2011, members of the New Jersey Young Democrats joined Planned Parenthood of New Jersey on the steps of the State House showing their support for a measure that would restore funding for women’s health and family planning services.
Governor Chris Christie eliminated these services in the FY2011 budget, which has reduced women’s access to basic health care services statewide. These services include breast cancer screenings, pap tests and gynecological exams, STD testing and treatment, HIV/AIDS testing and pre- and post-natal ad health care. Across the state, there have been significant cuts in services. For example, the Women’s Health and Counseling Center in Somerville will likely stop providing reproductive health care services and the Bayonne Women’s Health Center closed its doors in April leaving 1,400 city residents to look elsewhere for care.
Chris James, President of New Jersey Young Democrats explained, “Critics are contending that these services are still available in emergency rooms; however, it is unconceivable that we would resort to sending our mothers, daughters and sisters to emergency rooms for services that could be offered in our neighborhoods.”
Bills to restore these services have passed both houses of the legislature numerous times; however, they fall short of the needed votes to override the Governor’s veto. Supporters hope that funding will be restored in the FY2012 budget to be enacted by June 30, 2011.
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