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. However, 61 Delegates voted against women's health.

TAKE ACTION: Please send a message to your legislator and let them know how disappointed you are that they would vote to defund Planned Parenthood.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to let you know how disappointed I am that you voted to defund Planned Parenthood in Virginia.

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 health care system is insufficient, I am shocked you would vote to defund a health provider where many Virginia women receive prevention services.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 04, 2009