FPA E-Newsletter
January 2010
Contents:
CEO Corner
2009 Year In Review
Family Planning Funding
Medicaid Reimbursement
Reproductive Health Act
Teen Pregnancy PreventionHealth Care Reform
Take Action in Albany; First Day of Action set for January 11, 2010
I am thrilled to offer our supporters this new, monthly enewsletter to provide timely updates on Family Planning Advocates’ work on behalf of New York’s reproductive and sexual health care community. At the state and national levels, FPA works year round to advance public policies and education that protect reproductive rights, improve sexual health and secure reproductive justice for all communities.
In FPA’s staff meeting this week, I shared my New Year’s resolution to work smarter with our existing resources in 2010. Sometimes that is hard to do while combating state budget cuts and attacks from federal lawmakers in this ever-changing health care environment. There are new tools being developed every day to make that work more efficient.
As a supporter of FPA, you can work smarter as an activist, too. In fact, some of the most effective actions on behalf of family planning and reproductive justice can be done in just 30 seconds or less.
We call them our “Work Smarter Not Harder Advocacy Tools.” Here are our top three:
Email alerts: When you receive email action alerts from FPA and Planned Parenthood, you are given regular opportunities to impact decision makers in New York State Government and in Congress. These e-mail alerts provide urgent information and enable you to send e-mails to your elected officials with just a few clicks of the mouse. Take note, take action and pass them on to your friends. If you don’t already receive email action alerts from our office, click here.
Keep up with us on social media: Fan us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on youtube. We’ll give you the most current information you need to be in the know on reproductive justice issues and to take action.
Spread the word: We cannot do this work in Albany and Washington, D.C. without all of our members and supporters behind us; so help spread the word. In fact, start by forwarding this email today!
As we look back on 2009, we look forward to working with you in 2010 when we hope to see more success on behalf of the women and families of New York State.
Best,
M. Tracey Brooks
President & CEO
2009 Year in Review: The Family Planning Perspective
Family Planning Advocates is gearing up to welcome more than 300 activists to the state Capitol next week for our annual Day of Action on Jan. 11. Since last year’s advocacy day, many, many events and policies have shaped the future of keeping sexual and reproductive health care accessible to all New Yorkers.
Family Planning Funding. Our 2009 activities were overshadowed by a state budget crisis that threatens the sustainability of reproductive and sexual health centers. FPA worked closely with our pro-choice legislative leaders who stood up for family planning in developing the 2009-10 budget, essentially retaining the same level of funding we had at the close of 2008.
Gov. Paterson responded to severely reduced state revenues by proposing across-the-board, mid-year budget cuts just months into the 2009-10 fiscal year. Consequently, our advocacy strategy carried on throughout the summer and fall to minimize the impact on family planning. FPA’s stategy did, in fact, result in less-damaging reductions to family planning centers than originally proposed. However, our health centers did not escape unscathed; the legislature responded with new cuts that put the viability of our most-needed centers in jeopardy.
These additional state funding reductions, compounded by more than 15 years of underfunding, delays in state Medicaid rate increases, and a reduction in private insurance reimbursements, have put New York’s family planning centers in financial crisis. Centers have merged, consolidated and closed. Hours and services have been reduced. Staff and benefits have been cut.
We are already developing our advocacy strategy to fend off even more damaging cuts in the 2010-11 budget, which would surely result in health care center closings. Of course, advocates like you will be a part of that strategy. Please look for future advocacy alerts through which you can make a positive impact on our important work.
Medicaid Reimbursement. Again this year, FPA spent a great deal of time and resources working with the Department of Health on the implementation of a new Medicaid reimbursement system, which was born out of the Governor’s commitment to primary and preventative care. Family planning providers rely heavily on these Medicaid reimbursements; and it is FPA’s goal to ensure reimbursements are fair and equitable.
Although preparation for implementation has been challenging, we anticipate this new approach to reimbursement will be implemented in the second half of 2010 and hope it will have a positive impact on our health centers’ bottom lines.
Reproductive Health Act. The Reproductive Health Act (RHA) was just two days away from a vote on the Senate floor in June when the now-infamous “Senate coup” took place. This historic bill ensures that, in the event Roe v. Wade were overturned, a woman would still have available to her the same reproductive health care delivery system she has now.
While the coup dashed hopes for passage of RHA, it prompted FPA and hundreds of our pro-choice advocates around the state to take action to end to the stalemate. Advocates called and emailed their Senators, urging them back to work to answer the mandate of the November 2008 election to pass progressive legislation in New York.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention. After nearly a decade of advocacy, the 2009 federal budget finally zeroed out all abstinence-only funding while adding new dollars for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs. As we enter a new era in implementing evidence-based sex education programs, FPA continued to work closely with our national and state partners in 2009 toensure the most effective programs are funded in New York State.
FPA has been working with the Department of Health to hone our current teen pregnancy prevention programs and prepare for this federal funding so that a wide variety of effective programs can be implemented across the state in order to meet the needs of our very diverse at-risk populations.
Your help in recent years in raising awareness about the need for comprehensive sex education has brought us to this positive place in terms of policy and future funding.
Health Care Reform. Beginning in July, FPA played an active role toward President Obama’s goal of health care reform for the benefit of all. Our objective is to ensure that comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care remains accessible and affordable to all. Our efforts are part of a nationwide movement and, once again, FPA played a leadership role.
FPA and its activists from around the state held meetings with New York’s Congressional delegation many times to advance our goal and to defend against attacks made to reproductive health care during the reform process. We made our position known at visibility events and town hall meetings, as well as through a coordinated effort to connect activists with their elected officials. You may have even seen our pink t-shirts in some of the news coverage.
At the end of the year, both the U. S. House of Representatives and the Senate passed their versions of health care reform legislation; both bills severely limit insurance coverage for and, ultimately, access to abortion care.
However, as a result of our efforts, 27 of 29 of New York’s House members and both of our Senators voted against these restrictions. Additionally, many members spoke out against these outrageous amendments and fought hard to remove them from the bills.
As 2009 came to a close, FPA was working closely with our Congressional leaders to strip out these unprecedented restrictions from the final, single health care reform measure. In 2010, we will need your help to ensure women do not lose benefits in health care reform.
Take Action in Albany; First Day of Action set for January 11, 2010
In addition to online advocacy, FPA provides a host of opportunities for face-to-face meetings with your legislators to urge their support for reproductive and sexual health care. Don’t miss your chance to make an impact in 2010. And, don’t forget to spread the word.
January 11 Women’s Health Matters: A Day of Action
Register today to kick off the 2010 Legislative Session in Albany. We will focus on the dire financial situation of family planning centers and the need for greater fiscal commitment from the state. You will also have the chance to hear from New York Times Bestselling Author Michelle Goldberg, author of THE MEANS OF REPRODUCTION: SEX, POWER, AND THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD. Click here for more information and to register. Find your local Planned Parenthood for travel arrangements.
March 15 Get the Facts NY Youth Leadership Conference
Join hundreds of teens and college students from across New York State to learn important advocacy skills and how your voice can impact elected officials and other decision makers when it comes to reproductive and sexual health and justice issues. Click here to learn more about our Get the Facts NY campaign.
April 20 Concerned Clergy For Choice Advocacy Day
Pro-choice clergy and religious advocates from across New York State will meet in Albany to bring their faith-based views to elected officials. Join us to raise our collective voices for progressive public policies that protect access to reproductive health care and the diversity of New York’s religious views.
Click here to learn more about Concerned Clergy for Choice.
Become a member of FPA today to support our important work.