Sequestration Cuts Restrict Connecticut Women's Access to Health Care

(New Haven, CT)  As mandatory federal budget cuts begin taking effect due to sequestration, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) highlighted the impact that these cuts will have on Connecticut women. PPSNE could lose federal funds from the Title X family planning program along with other federal funds.

“There is no doubt that the sequestration budget cuts will impact women in Connecticut who receive their health care through the Title X family planning program. As these irresponsible cuts create challenges for many women in our state, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England will continue to fight to ensure that they and all women in Connecticut have access to the high quality health care services they rely on our health centers for, including birth control, Pap tests, breast exams, and STD and STI testing and treatment,” said Judy Tabar President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. 

“This illustrates exactly why our country needs Congress to take a balanced approach to deficit reduction that protects crucial investments in programs such as women’s health services. Our nation's fiscal situation needs serious attention, and we urge Congress to act quickly to address it; but a balanced solution will not be found in cutting Americans' access to health care. The reality is that family planning services save money. It has long been demonstrated that for every $1 of public money invested in family planning, nearly $4 is saved. During our current economic climate, cost-effective family planning services like affordable access to birth control are more important than ever,” said Tabar.

Sequestration could cut Title X, a program that provides millions of women with access to preventive health care and affordable birth control, by $15 million in fiscal year 2013. Over the past two fiscal years, Title X has already been cut by more than $23 million. Cutting this vital women’s health program is just one of many examples of the ways in which sequestration is hurting the most vulnerable Connecticut residents.

Annually, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England serves close to 70,000 men, women and teens, providing a range of critical, life-saving health care services, including breast cancer screenings, Pap tests, birth control, and STD/STI testing and treatment. PPSNE remains committed to these patients so they may continue to receive high quality health care, regardless of their ability to pay.