Downey and Houghtaling Women’s Health Care Bill Signed into Law

(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Joann Downey and Eric Houghtaling to restore state funding for family planning centers was signed into law on Wednesday.

The law (A-2134) provides $7,453,000 for the current fiscal year in supplemental funding for women’s health care grants through the state Department of Health.

“Access to preventative screenings, routine exams and low-cost birth control are often scarce in many low income communities, but particularly so since the Christie administration cut funding for women’s health, forcing the closure of a number of women’s health centers throughout the state,” said Downey (D-Monmouth). “Now, with Governor Murphy, we are finally able to make good on our promise to restore this funding once and for all.”

"Restoring this funding will save taxpayers money in the long run, and this is a small investment in terms of the benefit it will provide," said Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). "The lack of funding has put our residents at risk and this appropriation will help make mammograms, cancer screenings, prenatal care and other types of critical care more accessible."

Despite being funded in every state budget since 1970, Governor Christie routinely eliminated the $7.4 million appropriation for women’s health care services in the state budget every year of his tenure. Assembly Democrats repeatedly attempted to restore the funding only to have it vetoed by Christie. By signing this legislation into law on Wednesday, Governor Murphy was able to direct this funding back to family planning centers throughout the state.

The sponsors noted that in 2009 this funding helped support life-saving services for over 136,000 patients, including cancer screenings, birth control, prevention and treatment of STIs, breast health services, Pap tests and other health screenings. As a direct result of Christie’s cuts, six out of 58 women’s health and family planning centers closed while other health centers had to cut back staff or hours. In 2013, New Jersey’s family planning providers saw at least 37,000 fewer patients compared with 2009 – a 27 percent drop in patients served.