FPA in the News: 2007

Legislative Gazette
Family Planning Advocates happy with budget plan
By: Ariana Cohn
2.5.07

Family Planning Advocates of New York State are applauding Gov. Eliot Spitzer on his Executive Budget's plan to reform health care and his commitment to children and health.

JoAnn Smith, president and CEO of Family Planning Advocates of New York State said, “Governor Spitzer’s health care reform agenda will result in improved access to community-based preventive care, including a comprehensive range of reproductive health care services.”

Included in Spitzer’s budget proposal was $5.3 million in funding to include services such as cervical cancer vaccines, public education regarding the quality of mammography and increased prenatal and postpartum home visits.

Spitzer also proposed $3 million go toward family planning contracts as well as $2.6 million for emergency contraception, outreach activities and training.

“In the governor’s health plan he talks about community care. It’s the public health message,” said Smith, “We at FPA were enormously pleased to see the governor’s emphasis on preventive health care, children and families.”

Part of the Executive Budget proposal addressed Child Health Plus, a program that provides health coverage to uninsured children. Spitzer wants to expand coverage from 250 percent to 400 percent of the federal poverty level in New York.

With this initiative, Spitzer hopes to insure the state’s 400,000 uninsured children. “We will insure every uninsured kid in the state,” said Spitzer during his budget speech last Wednesday, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Smith is also confident that the expansion of Child Health Plus would provide more children with preventive care when they need it. “He’s reaching out to the children and families of New York State,” said Smith of Spitzer.