Late last week, members of the Budget Conference Committee worked behind closed doors to complete the state's budget. Within House Bill 1600, there were several anti-choice budget amendments that would have had devastating effects on women's access to health care in the Commonwealth. One in particular Planned Parenthood was worried about was an amendment that would have stripped Planned Parenthood of all state funding, which we use to provide valuable prevention services to women, men, and teens around the state.

On Saturday, when the final version of the budget was released, we learned our pro-choice champions had worked to remove these harmful budget amendments.

TAKE ACTION: Please send a message to your legislator thanking them for protecting women's health!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to thank you for your efforts in protecting women's health in Virginia. There were several budget amendments that would have had devastating effects on the health of women, men, and teens, including the effort to strip Planned Parenthood of state funding.

The majority of Planned Parenthood's services are focused on prevention: the prevention of unintended pregnancy, disease transmission, and cancer. Often, the provision of these critical services enable people who would otherwise have no access to quality health care to visit with a provider.

In an economic climate where the state is in a deficit and the health care system is insufficient, I am so pleased that you protected the women and men who rely on Planned Parenthood to meet their health care needs. It is not only good public policy but a sound investment in the future of the Commonwealth.

Again, thank you for standing up for women's health!

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 04, 2009