Family Planning Advocates of New York State: History
On April 9, 1970 the New York State Legislature passed a bill legalizing abortion in New York. The law was quickly signed by Governor Rockefeller and went into effect on July 1, 1970, greatly reducing maternal deaths and obstetric complications. But anti-choice forces immediately mobilized to try to rescind New York’s law and made several unsuccessful efforts to overturn the state statute. They redoubled their efforts after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973, which legalized abortion nationwide. The urgent need to protect a woman’s right to abortion was clear to the early founders of Family Planning Advocates, who successfully organized reproductive rights advocates to preserve a woman’s right to choose.
These efforts led to the establishment of Family Planning Advocates of New York State in 1977, whose purpose was to defend reproductive rights and promote progressive family planning policies in New York State. For the past 30 years, FPA has stayed true to this mission - advancing the health and well-being of women and their families through its work with the the Governor’s office, State Legislature, Department of Health, and other state and federal agencies. For a more detailed look at FPA’s history, click on the year links below.
A History of Family Planning Advocates: 1977-2007
Family Planning Advocates of New York State was founded to shape public policy at the state level and serve as a bulwark for protecting hard-won federal gains in the area of reproductive rights.
By 1977, family planning services had been established in most New York State counties. But challenges to reproductive rights, such as State Budget cuts to family planning funds, laws to restrict access to abortion, and a parental consent bill that was narrowly defeated, illustrated the vulnerability of family planning services in New York State.
At the federal level, the Hyde Amendment prohibited states from using federal funding for abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court (Maher v. Roe) had ruled that neither Medicaid nor the U.S. Constitution required states to pay for Medicaid funded abortions that were not “medically necessary.” This decision granted state governments more authority over women’s health and reproductive freedom.
FPA History by Year
1977
Family Planning Advocates of New York State Founded
In recognition of the pressing need to influence public policy at the state level, where increasing authority had shifted from the federal level, New York’s 21 Planned Parenthood Affiliates establish Family Planning Advocates of New York State (FPA). The organization represents “the views of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, other related organizations and family planning consumers so that elected and appointed public officials…are alerted to and concerned with enhancing the ability of all New Yorkers to personally manage their own fertility.” Shirley Gordon is named FPA’s first executive director.
In FPA’s first year, the organization persuades the State Legislature to restore a 40% cut in the Governor’s budget for family planning services, bringing total local assistance funding for family planning clinics to $500,000. In addition to increasing the budget for family planning services, FPA’s membership grows to nearly 100 organizations.
FPA and Planned Parenthood of New York City take the lead in bringing together pro-choice groups to form the New York State Campaign for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR) to strategize for the 1978 legislative session, when legislators would have the first opportunity to vote to continue funding Medicaid coverage for low-income women’s abortions.
1978
Establishing a Role in the State Capitol
In January, FPA holds its first Legislative Conference to demonstrate the strength of New York’s pro-choice community. Nearly 500 advocates from across the state attend the conference, making this one of the largest advocacy groups to convene to-date. Speeches are delivered by all four legislative leaders: Assembly Speaker Stanley Steingut, Minority Leader Perry Duryea, Senate Majority Leader Warren Anderson and Minority Leader Manfred Ohrenstein. Each proclaims support for continued Medicaid funding for abortion, FPA’s top legislative priority. Minority Leader Duryea makes a statement in support for Medicaid funding for abortion in response to a question from the press after leaving the conference. His comments make front page headlines in the New York Times.
After successfully kicking off its legislative agenda, FPA starts mobilizing. The New York State Campaign for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR) sponsors buses to Albany every week during the session to lobby for Medicaid funding for abortion services. More than 200 organizations participate in this endeavor. FPA establishes coordinators in 16 upstate counties and many Planned Parenthood affiliates lead local coalitions in support of Medicaid funding. FPA presents testimony at hearings on a range of reproductive health related issues to establish its presence in the State Capitol and publishes the organization’s first series of newsletters.
FPA’s grassroots efforts pay off. Bills to require parental notification for abortion are defeated, a major step in protecting teens and their reproductive health. The State Budget is held up for six days over the battle for Medicaid funding for abortion services. Huge rallies are held over the “controversy”, garnering tremendous statewide press coverage. Both Houses eventually vote to support funds for Medicaid abortions, giving a significant boost to pro-choice clout.
The Legislature doubles funding for family planning clinics in the budget, bringing the total to $1 million. An additional $1 million is approved for a Teenage Pregnancy Initiative. Along with successfully lobbying for Medicaid funded abortions, FPA achieves its budget goals and successfully establishes a presence in the State Capitol.
Despite a very successful legislative session, threats to family planning services remain. One of these threats is the appearance of the nation’s first Right to Life Party on the ballot in New York.
1979
Pro-Choice Clout
FPA’s second Legislative Conference attracts 700 advocates from across the state. Medicaid funding for abortion remains a top priority for the legislative session, but additional threats to family planning services are forthcoming.
Grassroots mobilization remains the focus of FPA’s success. The New York State Campaign for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR) continues bringing busloads of advocates to Albany each week to lobby for Medicaid funding for abortion services.
Senator John Marchi (R-Staten Island) opens an investigation into whether all abortions paid for by Medicaid are medically necessary. The names of physicians, clinics and hospitals performing abortions are requested from the Department of Social Services. The Department of Health is also creating a “data bank” for assessing hospital utilization. These initiatives raise serious privacy and safety concerns for women accessing family planning services and providers.
FPA mounts successful campaigns to manage both of these threats to privacy and safety. The Commissioner of Social Services agrees to code the names of abortion providers and the collection of women’s names is exempted from the new Department of Health data bank. FPA’s campaigns allow for adequate data to be collected while safeguarding privacy concerns.
The close of the legislative session brings hard fought victories for family planning services. FPA succeeds in getting family planning identified in the State’s first five-year health plan as a key element in the State’s strategy to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce health care costs.
In addition, FPA negotiates increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates for family planning clinic visits and plays a major role in rescuing the State Education Department’s Family Life Education Program after it is cut from the Governor’s budget.
The Legislature adds $600,000 to the Health Department’s family planning program for pregnancy prevention, with half earmarked for teenagers. Governor Hugh Carey signs a bill into law requiring state and local governments to give maternity health insurance to employees and their dependents. After a five-day budget impasse, the Legislature approves Medicaid funding for abortion. FPA achieves its top budget priority and successfully protects the privacy of abortion providers and women accessing family planning services.
There is additional good news on the federal level when the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a restrictive law requiring unmarried minors under 18 to have consent from both parents or a judge for an abortion.
1980
Preserving Privacy
Issues surrounding privacy and safety are central to FPA’s work in the new State Legislative session as federal threats to family planning services increase.
FPA once again presses for safeguarding privacy of sensitive hospital inpatient information by campaigning for the requirement that all data requests must be reviewed by the Data Protection Review Board.
FPA succeeds in preventing the Legislature from passing a parental consent bill. This is a tremendous grassroots success reflecting the growth of New York’s pro-choice movement since 1976 when a similar bill passed both houses.
On the national level, FPA organizes a successful petition campaign to block a Legislative Resolution calling for a U.S. Constitutional Convention to write a “human life” amendment, deeming that life begins the moment of conception, into the federal constitution.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court (McRae v. Harris) upholds the right of Congress and State Legislatures to refuse to pay for medically necessary abortions. Federal Medicaid funding is no longer available for abortion services for poor women.
1981
Family Planning Preserved
The federal Title X Family Planning Program, designed to provide public funding for family planning services, is targeted for elimination. FPA leads the effort to avert the loss of federal funds for the state’s family planning clinics.
FPA organizes a petition drive against federal statutes and amendments, introduced in both Houses of Congress, to make abortion services illegal. The statutes and amendments are disguised as protections for pregnant women.
FPA holds a press conference calling on self-proclaimed “pro family” groups to support a 10 point Comprehensive Family Planning Plan designed to increase preventive family planning services, while preserving abortion as an option. Funds for this plan are sought in the supplemental budget.
Governor Hugh Carey issues a State of the State message on health that cites family planning services as important to reducing high risk pregnancies.
FPA defeats legislation to amend the Insurance Law to eliminate coverage for abortion.
After an arduous session, the Legislature adds $900,000 for family planning, bringing total State Budget funding for family planning to $2.18 million. The teen pregnancy program is also increased to $1.6 million. After five separate votes, approval of Medicaid funding for abortions finally succeeds.
1982
Pro-Choice Community Continues to Grow
Eight hundred advocates weather one of worst storms of the year to attend FPA’s 5th Legislative Conference. Despite the successes of the last five years, many of the same threats remain on both the state and federal level.
FPA achieves numerous successes this year: countering an anti-choice effort to remove Planned Parenthood as a United Way recipient; organizing a letter-writing campaign to oppose increasing Congressional restrictions on family planning clinics; and co-sponsoring a workshop at the New York State Public Health Association’s annual meeting on barriers to reproductive health services for adolescents with the Bureau of Family Planning.
In a demonstration of pro-choice clout, 25,000 petitions are presented by FPA to state and federal elected officials in opposition to bans on abortion.
At the conclusion of the Legislative Session, an additional $500,000 is added to the State Budget for family planning. FPA plays a lead role in saving the State Education Department’s Family Life Education program. Legislative victories include the defeat of bills to exclude insurance coverage for abortion and mandate parental consent.
1983
Successes for Family Planning
In previous years, FPA succeeded in advocating for budget increases and defeated numerous pieces of anti-choice legislation, but new legislation is threatening access to basic family planning services. By using its grassroots base and educating elected officials, FPA successfully explains how new directions in healthcare could compromise a woman’s access to family planning services.
FPA successfully works to defeat legislation in the State Senate to ban insurance coverage for abortion services. FPA also negotiates an HMO bypass to protect Medicaid patients’ confidentiality. The “bypass” allows clients to obtain family planning services, including abortion services, from a provider of their choice.
In an effort to protect minors’ confidentiality, FPA develops model language for an Assembly bill which gives parents the right to obtain records of minor children only if they had previously given consent for the service.
In the final budget, the Legislature increases family planning funds in the State Budget by $2.68 million. Despite FPA’s success in increasing state funding for family planning services, clinics are forced to retrench due to deep federal cuts and longstanding inflation.
1984
State Support for Pregnancy Prevention Increases
FPA holds its 7th Annual Legislative Conference, introducing the Margaret Sanger Awards to recognize legislators who have made significant contributions to family planning policy. The awards are named after Margaret Sanger, who established the first birth control clinic and founded Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
FPA is instrumental in persuading Governor Mario Cuomo to launch a $5 million Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Services Initiative designed to provide education, job training and enhanced life options for at-risk, pregnant and parenting teens.
FPA joins an alliance of 30 groups in a major effort to pass a New York Equal Rights Amendment, which ultimately fails in the Senate.
In March, FPA’s Long Range Planning Committee issues a new report, “New York’s Key System for Delivering Basic Preventive Health Care to the Poor, Medically Indigent, and Medically Disenfranchised” with wide distribution to policymakers.
FPA succeeds in getting the Legislature to increase family planning funds by $500,000 in the State Budget. FPA’s organizational members now reach 125.
1985
Family Planning Funding a Priority
FPA’s legislative agenda seeks funding increases for family planning clinics and funding is increased by 33% in the State Budget, bringing the new total to $4.18 million. Efforts to allow young people to consent to their own prenatal care and to make unintended pregnancy a state health priority continue in full force.
A law is passed allowing minors to consent to their own prenatal care. FPA succeeds in efforts to prevent severe cuts to the family planning component of the Maternal & Child Health Block Grant (Title V).
FPA and family planning clinics join together to launch a major initiative: “Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: Making New York First in Family Planning.”
1986
Funding for Family Planning Services Doubles
FPA’s work to get family planning recognized and supported on the state level is succeeding. Governor Mario Cuomo responds to FPA’s initiative to increase family planning funds and gives priority to significant expansion of the state’s family planning programs. This plan attracts unprecedented statewide endorsement of more than 350 organizations, tens of thousands of individuals, and two dozen newspapers.
In addition to budgetary achievements, the Legislature is also becoming more educated about privacy matters surrounding family planning services. FPA is responsible for the language in a new law, modeled after an Assembly bill passed in 1983, to protect confidentiality of the medical records of minors who receive reproductive health services.
The Legislature approves the Governor’s request to more than double family planning funds in the State Budget from $4.18 million to $10 million. Teen pregnancy prevention programs get $1.9 million.
1987
FPA’s 10 Year Anniversary
FPA celebrates its 10th anniversary at its Annual Legislative Conference. A Legislative Resolution is issued recognizing the organization’s many members and contributions. Planned Parenthood Federation of America also honors FPA’s 10th anniversary at its annual meeting.
FPA is sued by Right to Life activists for denying them access to the Legislative Conference. FPA argues that First Amendment protections do not prohibit a private organization from gathering with its members and discuss strategy without disruption. Two courts uphold FPA’s position.
The Education Fund of Family Planning Advocates of New York State is established as a 501(c)(3) organization to conduct research, carry out policy analysis, and provide a variety of education, training and outreach programs.
The New York State Coalition for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR) now consists of 500 organizations.
The State Budget increases appropriations for three of FPA’s top concerns: family planning (now at $11 million), prenatal care and school health services. And for the tenth consecutive year, both Houses of the Legislature vote down amendments to ban Medicaid funding for abortion.
FPA partners with the New York State Media Consortium to develop a birth control media campaign funded by a State Health Department grant and participates in a newly formed New York State Health Care Campaign to extend Medicaid to working poor who are uninsured.
1988
HIV/AIDS and Family Planning Clinics
FPA plays a lead role in the passage of several significant laws to: protect the confidentiality of HIV/AIDS-related information; certify nurse practitioners and grant them prescription privileges; and expand Medicaid eligibility for working poor families. FPA also works for passage of a new law to mandate insurance coverage of mammography screening.
FPA organizes a coalition to defeat the religious right’s deceptive “Parent and Pupil Rights Act” which would, among other things, ban sex education.
FPA’s government relations work results in Legislative approval of a $1 million increase in state family planning funding and an additional $4 million in new monies to cover the cost of mandated HIV testing and counseling in family planning clinics.
1989
Prevention in the “Decade of the Child”
The 12th Legislative Conference debuts the Alfred F. Moran Award, named for the former executive director of Planned Parenthood of New York City. The award recognizes Al Moran’s many contributions to reproductive health and rights. The conference is focused on prevention, which is a cornerstone of Governor Mario Cuomo’s “Decade of the Child” initiative.
FPA helps organize more than 40,000 New Yorkers to attend a pro-choice march in Washington, DC, the largest in the nation’s history. In the wake of the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services decision, which invites states to impose sharp new restrictions on abortion, FPA moves to revitalize and expand New York State Campaign for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR).
FPA obtains an exemption for family planning clinics from a law placing a 72 hour limit on dispensing prescription drugs.
A permanent injunction is upheld against the enforcement of the Title X “gag rule” to restrict counseling on abortion, which is then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
FPA works with Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights to promote clergy participation across the state and convene annual clergy conferences in Albany.
The Legislature restores $1 million cut from the family planning program and secures an additional $500,000. The Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) is enacted with a serious omission: abortion services are not covered for women between 100% and 185% of the poverty level.
1990
20 Years of Legal Abortion in New York
More than 2000 advocates attend FPA’s 13th Annual Legislative Conference, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the legalization abortion in New York. FPA organizes a New York State Campaign for Abortion Rights (NYSCAR) rally with its 600 member groups; Governor Mario Cuomo gives the keynote address.
FPA is instrumental in shaping several important pieces of legislation this year, including passage of a bill to require insurance coverage for infertility services. FPA works to ensure that health care proxy legislation does not impose a restrictive “incubator clause” on pregnant women and succeeds in amending a law to afford family planning clinics the same confidentiality protections as hospitals when filing incident reports. During a special session to deal with the state’s fiscal crisis, FPA lobbies successfully for an exemption for family planning services from a 1% assessment levied on all health facility revenues.
A flurry of anti-abortion bills are defeated at the state level, but attempts to pass parental consent laws continue nationally and in New York. FPA holds a moving press conference with parents from a state with a parental consent law, whose minor daughter died from complications of a self-induced abortion, illustrating the true danger of these laws.
The Legislature accepts the Governor’s recommendation to increase family planning funds by $2.5 million, boosting the total to $15 million. Annual funding for HIV counseling and testing by family planning clinics is continued at $4 million.
1991
Refusing the “Gag Rule”
In the face of increasing barriers to family planning services at the federal level, FPA works to ensure continuation of these services at the state level. This includes ensuring that a bypass for family planning is continued in the newly mandated Medicaid managed care programs. The bypass allows women to access family planning providers without a referral.
FPA organizes a campaign to oppose the Title X “gag rule” which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June. All 20 New York State Planned Parenthood affiliates announce their refusal to be censored by the “gag rule” at a press conference.
FPA convinces the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Advisory Council to use increased federal funds for sexually transmitted infection services at family planning clinics.
After intense lobbying efforts, a law involving “fetal death certificates” is amended to protect the confidentiality of women who have had abortions.
In November, FPA releases a major study showing the impact, cost benefit and trends associated with reproductive health services for women, “Family Planning and Women at Risk: Strategies for Primary Care in the 1990s.”
1992
Casey v. Pennsylvania Opposed
FPA organizes buses to Washington, D.C. for a massive rally for choice. Governor Mario Cuomo pledges to replace federal funds lost to the Title X “gag rule” if necessary and FPA persuades the Legislature to reject a parental notification bill. FPA lobbies successfully for passage of bills requiring insurance coverage for Pap tests and pelvic exams for all women 18 and over. FPA also supports strengthened penalties for stalking.
FPA joins with other statewide pro-choice groups to organize local rallies in response to the Casey v. Pennsylvania U.S. Supreme Court decision, which ruled that abortion was no longer a fundamental right and upheld barriers to access including parental consent and 24 hour waiting periods.
State funding for family planning withstands another round of budget cuts and FPA works to ensure that family planning clinics are eligible for a portion of the $700,000 in public health campaign funds earmarked for syphilis. FPA also succeeds in expanding the program to include all sexually transmitted infections.
FPA begins work with the Department of Health to ensure that family planning clinics are eligible to become Preferred Primary Care Providers.
Responsive, Responsible Reproductive Health Care
FPA joins other health care coalitions to begin extensive work on the New York Prospective Hospital Reimbursement Methodology V. The goal is to make this health reform bill more responsive to the needs of women and adolescents, to provide aid for mid-level practitioners, and to permit family planning clinics to be eligible for primary care funding.
FPA works on the Hope v. Perales case, which results in a favorable decision by an intermediate Appellate Court recognizing privacy protections in the State Constitution which cover abortion, and ruling that the Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP) is unconstitutional because it excludes abortion. This decision is later overturned.
FPA works with the Department of Health to ensure family planning clinics are eligible for grants and actively supports a successful application for federal breast and cervical cancer screening funding.
FPA works with other pro-choice groups to build support for the Health Facilities Access Bill, designed to increase penalties to deter zealots who seek to blockade abortion clinics.
As in previous years, an attempt to de-fund Medicaid for low-income women’s abortions is thwarted and the Governor increases family planning funds by $1 million, with the Legislature matching this increase by adding an additional $1 million, for a total of $17 million. Public health campaign monies for sexually transmitted infection screening and education increases by $625,000.
1994
New Sources of Family Planning Funding
FPA sees an increase in budget support from different sources this year. Family planning funding tops $18.6 million, with the Assembly adding $1.5 million. FPA secures increased federal funding for adolescent pregnancy prevention and expanded state funding for sexually transmitted infection services.
FPA’s work on the New York Prospective Hospital Reimbursement Methodology V health reform bill ensures that family planning clinics are eligible for funding. New funding for HIV services to pregnant women is available and family planning clinics are slated to receive more than $1 million for expansion under the Primary Care Initiative program.
FPA has 140 organizational members representing health, education, social services, women, religious and civic groups across the state.
FPA’s state legislative efforts focus on; support for funding new and expanded school health clinics; expansion of subsidized health insurance for children in low-income working families; and passage of a law to ban smoking in schools and day care centers.
FPA lobbies intensively on federal health reform proposals to promote reproductive health and protect vulnerable populations, and also works to make HIV/AIDS education guidelines reality-based, ensuring they include information on risk reduction.
FPA and PPNYC launch the “New York State Campaign to Insure Women’s Health.” More than 240 organizations join the campaign in an effort to press for universal health coverage, with full reproductive health services, including abortion, in the basic benefits package.
Shirley Gordon steps down as executive director of Family Planning Advocates in August. Carol Reichert, long-time deputy executive director, assumes role of acting executive director through FPA’s 17th Legislative Conference in January 1995.
1995
Budget Cuts and Shifts in Health Care Policy
JoAnn M. Smith is named executive director of Family Planning Advocates. Family planning services face a $1.5 million cut in family planning services under Governor George Pataki. FPA’s legislative priorities are to get this cut restored and defeat legislation in the State Senate that would impose barriers on access to abortion services. Senate bills that would deny Medicaid funding for abortion and mandate two-parent notification for minors’ abortions are defeated.
FPA works hard to maintain Title X funding and supports new curriculum requirements for OB/GYN accreditation programs to require training in performing induced abortion and in managing abortion-related complications.
FPA outlines a preventative approach to addressing unintended pregnancy which leads the Pataki Administration to propose the use of $15 million in federal funds to address teen pregnancy. The Legislature restores $1.2 million of the $1.5 million cut to family planning proposed by Governor Pataki in the Executive Budget. An additional $1 million in Maternal and Child Health Block Grant funds is allocated to family planning clinics for pregnancy prevention, cancer detection and sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment. The Governor’s proposed family planning budget increases from $17.1 million to $18.3 million.
FPA and several Planned Parenthood affiliates file suit against Seton Health Systems over Seton’s policy of providing information on reproductive health only at the patient’s request.
In response to increasing concerns about services provided by religiously-based healthcare organizations, the Education Fund of FPA establishes the MergerWatch Project to educate the public about potential threats to reproductive health services posed by hospital mergers between religiously affiliated and non-sectarian hospitals.
1996
Keeping Abortion Safe and Accessible
FPA holds its 19th Annual Legislative Conference. The conference debuts the Reverend Beatrice Blair Courageous Service Award, recognizing an individual’s faith and determination in ensuring access to reproductive health services.
A state proposal to ban intact dilation and extraction abortion procedures (so-called “partial birth abortion”) is defeated, despite Senate passage of the bill.
FPA monitors managed health care developments to ensure that confidentiality is protected and reproductive health services are not restricted. A lawsuit brought as a result of a hospital merger between St. Mary’s and Leonard Hospital is settled, requiring informational referrals for reproductive services.
FPA helps maintain the $1.2 million budget increase from the prior year, keeping the final family planning budget at $18.3 million. The State Legislature grants the State Health Department authorization to apply for an 1115 Partnership Plan waiver to expand family planning coverage for men and women of reproductive age up to 200% of the federal poverty level. This waiver authorizes the Family Planning Extension Program (FPEP) which will provide services to hundreds of thousands of women at a time in their lives when reproductive health services are critical.
FPA redoubles its work on teen pregnancy prevention, and Governor George Pataki proposes $2 million in state funds for adolescent pregnancy prevention.
1997
FPA’s 20th Anniversary
In its 20th year, FPA focuses on defeating anti-choice legislation, including bills that would criminalize certain abortion procedures, require parental notification for teens under the age of 16, and enact the so-called “Women’s Right to Know Act” which attempts to mandate a 24-hour waiting period before receiving an abortion. FPA also helps delete language in the budget which would cause an undue burden with such a waiting period before a Medicaid recipient could receive an abortion. FPA successfully lobbies the Assembly to pass a bill which strengthens penalties for physically blocking access to health care facilities.
FPA helps to defeat Governor George Pataki’s proposed “family cap,” which limits welfare benefits to low-income women. FPA also continues to monitor employers’ insurance coverage for contraceptives, stressing the importance of full healthcare coverage for women.
The Legislature allocates an additional $1.2 million to the family planning budget, bringing the final budget to $19.5 million, and FPA wins approval of $7 million for voluntary pregnancy prevention programs for low-income women and teens. FPA also succeeds in maintaining $4 million in funds for HIV counseling, $1,204,500 for rape crisis and prevention and $2,640,000 for prenatal care assistance programs. FPA stresses the need for Medicaid funding, and for the first time in 20 years, the State Senate does not consider legislation to eliminate Medicaid funding for abortions.
Concerned Clergy for Choice is established by the Education Fund of FPA in an effort to create and engage a network of pro-choice clergy in New York.
1998
Clinic Violence Results in Tragedy
Dr. Barnett Slepian, a physician who provided abortion services, is murdered in Amherst, New York. FPA renews efforts to enact laws against clinic violence.
FPA releases a Women’s Health C.A.R.E. proposal, which includes measures to expand health insurance contraceptive coverage and ensure that hospital mergers do not reduce access to reproductive health care.
FPA once again secures additional family planning funding for a total family planning budget of $20.3 million.
In September, under the 1115 Partnership Plan waiver, the Family Planning Extension Program is implemented to provide 24 months of family planning services for women who lose Medicaid eligibility, but were pregnant while covered by Medicaid. Women who qualify may receive preventive family planning services from family planning providers that receive Title X funding. The program does not require U.S. citizenship, which is important to New York’s growing immigrant population.
Concerned Clergy for Choice brings the largest number of pro-choice clergy ever to lobby at the State Capitol for access to full reproductive health care services.
1999
Safe Clinic Access
FPA’s 22nd Annual Legislative Conference debuts the Shirley Gordon Public Policy Leadership Award, honoring FPA’s first executive director’s leadership in supporting the health of women and their families by shaping public policy in New York State.
Still mourning the death of Dr. Slepian and fearing more violence, FPA declares safe clinic access as its top legislative priority. Working with the Attorney General’s office, FPA develops and promotes legislation to protect employees and individuals at family planning clinics. After a hard fight in the Senate, Clinic Access and Anti-Stalking Act passes both houses and is signed into law.
The development of the Health Care Reform Act (HCRA), which includes a new Family Health Plus program to insure adults with children up to 150% of the federal poverty level, is closely monitored by FPA. FPA initiates the “Trust Women” campaign to reinforce a woman’s ability to make moral decisions without government interference.
The Governor’s proposed budget for family planning is maintained at $18.3 million, but the Legislature adds $1.5 million for a total budget of $19.8 million for family planning.
The Education Fund of FPA’s MergerWatch Project works to protect poor women’s rights to reproductive services when enrolled in an HMO that limits services due to religious doctrine.
2000
Coverage for Family Planning Services Expands
FPA works to ensure that no one is denied access to family planning because they cannot afford it. After much effort, the State Legislature approves legislation that outlines the Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP) and directs the Department of Health to apply to the federal government for a Medicaid waiver to enact the program. FPBP will extend reproductive health care coverage to individuals who previously do not qualify for Medicaid and who do not have access to other health insurance. Those with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level will now have access to family planning services.
Religiously-based healthcare providers increase efforts to deny access to family planning services, including contraception. FPA works with Assemblywoman Deborah Glick to expand the coalition supporting the Women’s Health and Wellness Act, which would require employers to provide insurance coverage for reproductive health care, including contraceptives.
FPA pushes for assurances that teens will still have access to confidential and comprehensive family planning services under Child Health Plus. FPA successfully lobbies for the defeat of anti-choice legislation, including biased counseling and forced delays, restrictions on minors’ access to abortion, and prohibiting Medicaid funding for so-called “partial-birth abortions.” Efforts to impose restrictions on Medicaid funding for abortion are defeated in the Assembly by the largest margin to-date. In addition, FPA promotes a bill mandating that emergency contraception be available in hospital emergency rooms for rape victims.
FPA again works with the Legislature to restore $1.5 million of family planning funds cut from Governor Pataki’s proposed budget and lobbies for an additional $3 million to support enhanced coverage for family planning services for low-wage working families without health insurance.
FPA’s 23rd Annual Legislative Conference is the first to include a separate youth program geared towards organizing and advocacy for teens.
2001
Saving Family Planning
FPA holds its 24th Annual Legislative Conference which debuts the Champion of Choice Award recognizing an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the expansion of reproductive health care choices.
The Women’s Health and Wellness Act continues to face opposition from some religious entities. FPA mounts a “Campaign to Save Family Planning,” as family planning faces a net 40% reduction in state allocations.
FPA participates in a statewide coalition working to grant health care coverage to legal immigrants who were denied basic health care under the welfare reform laws of 1996.
By working with the New York State Department of Health, FPA secures coverage for newly approved mifepristone (the “abortion pill” or RU-486) for Medicaid clients.
The Assembly passes legislation to require all hospital emergency departments to offer emergency contraception (EC) to rape survivors. For only the second time in more than 20 years, the State Senate did not consider the proposal to strip Medicaid funding for abortion from the State Budget.
2002
Women’s Health and Wellness Act Passes
After a long struggle, New York’s Women’s Health and Wellness Act is passed by both Houses and signed into law. Many more insurance policies must now cover vital reproductive health services, including prescriptive contraceptives, osteoporosis exams and breast and cervical cancer screenings. Catholic Charities announces a lawsuit to seek to deny employees insurance coverage for contraceptives.
FPA’s MergerWatch program conducts a study on the public funding of religious hospitals. The study finds that sectarian hospitals bill the federal government more than $40 billion a year, while using religious restrictions to limit the services they provide to the public.
FPA also intensifies its research on the provision of emergency contraception (EC) to rape victims in emergency departments. A Zogby International poll finds that 89 percent of voters believe that EC should be available to survivors of sexual assault. Yet many New York hospitals do not offer rape victims EC on-site. The Assembly again passes Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims legislation, but the Senate refuses to vote on the bill.
Funding is secured for family planning centers through a $2.1 million legislative budget addition, $500,000 from state funds and $1.6 million from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. FPA works to ensure that family planning providers are included in the final health care wage supplement bill, which provides increases in Medicaid rates. The federal Family Planning Benefit Program (FPBP) waiver enabling New Yorkers with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level to access family planning services is approved and becomes effective October 1.
2003
30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
FPA holds its 26th Annual Legislative Conference and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a news conference led by pro-choice clergy.
Advocates join with the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault to push for passage of the Emergency Contraception for Rape Victims Act. FPA launches an intensive media campaign that includes print and radio advertisements, as well as countless print and broadcast news stories, editorials and letters to the editor. The bill passes in the final hours of the legislative session and is signed into law by Governor George Pataki.
FPA is successful in restoring family planning funding in the State Budget, with $2.1 million added to Executive Budget appropriations. The Family Planning Benefit Program, enabling family planning clinics to provide services to thousands of new clients, is implemented.
The Women’s Health and Wellness Act goes into effect on January 1 and Catholic Charities’ challenge to the law is heard in State Supreme Court on September 19. FPA submits an amicus brief and affidavit in defense of the law. The MergerWatch Project conducts national research on emerging issues in religious/secular hospital mergers.
FPA works hard to help block so-called “unborn victims of violence” laws at both state and federal levels. In November, President George Bush signs an abortion ban into law, which is immediately challenged in the courts.
The “Get the Facts NY” campaign is launched to provide information about the need for comprehensive sex education. FPA also initiates a Republicans for Choice project, which begins with identifying pro-choice Republicans in targeted regions in New York.
FPA’s Immigrant Women’s Health Initiative successfully works with the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society to hold regional meetings, bringing together immigrant women’s organizations and family planning providers to identify obstacles that limit access.
2004
FPA Goes to Washington
FPA leads a huge New York contingent to Washington, D.C., for the March for Women’s Lives. The April 25 march is attended by more than 1.15 million people – the largest demonstration of any kind in our country. In August, more than 25,000 New Yorkers march cross the Brooklyn Bridge in support of women’s health and rights.
FPA staffers attend “Live Action Camps” coordinated by Planned Parenthood Federation of America to develop grassroots organizing strategies. FPA brings “Live Action Camp” strategies home, putting organizing techniques into practice on issues such as sex education and emergency contraception around the state.
Planned Parenthood wins a lawsuit (Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft) striking down the abortion ban signed into law by President Bush in 2003. Federal courts in California, New York and Nebraska find abortion bans unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Catholic Charities brings another unsuccessful lawsuit in the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court attempting to undo the Women’s Health and Wellness Act.
Medically accurate sex education is FPA’s top legislative priority, and the Healthy Teens Act receives strong bi-partisan support in the State Legislature. The bill passes the Assembly by a vote of 123-18.
FPA successfully lobbies for the restoration of state funding through a $2.1 million legislative initiative in the Assembly.
The Immigrant Women’s Health Initiative is created by FPA’s Education Fund to begin to help member organizations increase their skills in better serving diverse populations.
2005
FPA Expands Beyond New York
FPA embarks on a partnership with International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network, exchanging advocacy techniques and discussing global initiatives.
The Education Fund of FPA receives funding to strengthen cultural and linguistic competence in reproductive health care settings. The Immigrant Women’s Health Initiative plans three cultural competency assessments at sites throughout the state to assist clinics in developing and implementing strategies to deliver high quality reproductive health care to every client, regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background or English proficiency.
FPA refines its work on sex education and the Healthy Teens Act is reintroduced in the State Legislature. The bill continues to receive strong bi-partisan support and passes the Assembly, but the Senate does not bring the bill for a vote.
Coalition and grassroots work continues in support of the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act, which would increase access to emergency contraception through patient non-specific prescriptions. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Amy Paulin is passed by both the Assembly and Senate. FPA conducts a huge media and public awareness campaign throughout the summer, culminating in a rally in Capitol Park to encourage Governor George Pataki to sign the bill into law. At the last possible moment, Governor Pataki vetoes the bill.
Concerned Clergy for Choice organizes a highly successful Clergy Day in the State Capitol and produces a resource for pro-choice people of faith entitled When a Woman Makes a Choice: A Curriculum on Reproductive Decisions for Clinical Pastoral Education.
After eight years of growth with Family Planning Advocates of New York State, MergerWatch becomes a national project which will work to save reproductive health services in communities facing religious/secular hospital mergers across the country.
2006
Emergency Contraception Available Over-the-Counter
The Healthy Teens Act advances through the State Legislature with more support than ever before. The Assembly again passes the bill and FPA launches an aggressive grassroots effort urging the State Senate to consider this important legislation before the end of session. The bill is favorably reported by the Senate Health Committee, but Senate leadership fails to bring it to the floor for a vote.
Congress enacts the Deficit Reduction Act, which drastically cuts funding for Medicaid based state services including the Family Planning Extension Program (FPEP). FPA, in collaboration with the Department of Health, works to continue funding this program which provides low-income women with family planning services for two years after being pregnant.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Plan B emergency contraception for sale without a prescription for women 18 and over. In response to the decision, FPA embarks on a pharmacy access project entitled “Building Bridges” to work cooperatively with pharmacists and their professional organizations to ensure they have the needed information to provide EC in an over-the-counter setting. State legislation to enhance access to emergency contraception stalls in the Senate.
The FDA also approves the first vaccine developed to protect women against cervical cancer. Gardisil, developed by Merck, works by building immunity against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) is found to be effective in preventing almost three-quarters of all cervical cancers.
FPA initiates a new collaborative relationship with the Irish Family Planning Association to enhance the communications, advocacy and legal work of the two organizations.
The Education Fund of FPA convenes a statewide meeting to present findings of its two-year cultural competency assessment project. FPA fights to preserve family planning services for poor and immigrant women.
2007
FPA Celebrates its 30th Anniversary
Governor Eliot Spitzer takes office and quickly responds to FPA’s efforts to ensure that Medicaid clients have over-the-counter access to emergency contraception.
FPA celebrates 30 years of service to women and families, forming a Youth Advisory Board to help the next generation of reproductive health care leaders to network and strategize. More than 150 people join FPA’s 30th Anniversary Honorary Committee.
The celebration peaks at FPA’s 30th Annual Conference, featuring Governor Eliot Spitzer, PPFA President Cecile Richards and actress Cynthia Nixon.
The Healthy Teens Act is at the top of FPA’s action agenda. The bill is sponsored by Assemblymember Richard Gottfried and Senator George Winner.