Ask President Obama to Stand Up for Family Planning
Dear Readers,
This week, President Obama and the Democratic Congress dropped a provision from the economic stimulus bill that would have allowed for more low-income Americans to access needed family planning services through Medicaid, enabling couples to more effectively plan their families and avoid unintended pregnancies, during this time of economic hardship for so many. Including this provision would have saved states $200 million during a time when state Medicaid programs are struggling and allowed women to make choices about childbearing.
But bowing to pressure from the Republican minority, this provision was dropped without even a statement recognizing the need or the value of these services.
Tell President Obama we expect more.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his fellow Republicans repeatedly confused the amount of money that would be saved ($200 million) with how much it would cost, even going so far as to question how including this funding would help stimulate the economy. The Republicans need a fiscal reminder that for every $1 spent on family planning funds, $4 is saved in overall healthcare costs.
The facts are facts. Ensuring access to preventative health care saves money and reduces costs for state and federal programs.
2. Ask the White House to make a promise to the American people, especially those of us who are low-income, who may have lost our jobs or who are unsure about what the future will bring, that our access to our state Medicaid programs to care for our health is critical to stimulating the economy.
Call the White House comment line now – it's easy and quick.
• Call 202-456-1111
• Tell the operator you have a comment about the stimulus plan and you'll be transferred to a White House staff member.
This week, President Obama and the Democratic Congress dropped a provision from the economic stimulus bill that would have allowed for more low-income Americans to access needed family planning services through Medicaid, enabling couples to more effectively plan their families and avoid unintended pregnancies, during this time of economic hardship for so many. Including this provision would have saved states $200 million during a time when state Medicaid programs are struggling and allowed women to make choices about childbearing.
But bowing to pressure from the Republican minority, this provision was dropped without even a statement recognizing the need or the value of these services.
Tell President Obama we expect more.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his fellow Republicans repeatedly confused the amount of money that would be saved ($200 million) with how much it would cost, even going so far as to question how including this funding would help stimulate the economy. The Republicans need a fiscal reminder that for every $1 spent on family planning funds, $4 is saved in overall healthcare costs.
The facts are facts. Ensuring access to preventative health care saves money and reduces costs for state and federal programs.
We know you're as frustrated about this as we are. Will you call the White House comment line and speak out now?
Tell the White House:
1. Now is the time that we need
President Obama to step up and defend the funding of family planning
services as both excellent health care policy and good economic sense. Tell the White House:
2. Ask the White House to make a promise to the American people, especially those of us who are low-income, who may have lost our jobs or who are unsure about what the future will bring, that our access to our state Medicaid programs to care for our health is critical to stimulating the economy.
Call the White House comment line now – it's easy and quick.
• Call 202-456-1111
• Tell the operator you have a comment about the stimulus plan and you'll be transferred to a White House staff member.
• Give your name and use the two talking points above to tell the staff member how you feel.
• Thank the staff member for taking your comment and passing along the message and say goodbye.
