The Massachusetts State Senate will debate their version of the Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget this week.  We applaud the Senate for increasing funding for family planning programs by $400,000 and recognizing that it is important to fund these prevention-focused programs even in a fiscally challenging environment.

There are three sexual and reproductive health-related budget amendments that your legislators need to hear from you about before debate begins.  Fully funding these items would be also be a cost-effective investment in prevention, which is as important as ever.

Please contact your state senator today to tell them that sexual health matters, and ask them to support these three amendments!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to ask you to support three budget amendments that impact sexual and reproductive health in Massachusetts. Funding these three prevention-focused items would be a prudent and cost-effective investment in improving public health in the Commonwealth, even in these challenging fiscal times.

I also want to congratulate the Senate on increasing funding for family planning services by $400,000. It is terrific that you have recognized the importance of protecting access to these services.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs (Line Item 4530-9000, Lead Sponsor: Senator Spilka) This amendment would increase funding for this line item by $1 million to a total of $5 million.

These prevention programs have been incredibly successful in Massachusetts, and this is no time to reduce their funding. These programs have contributed to a 40% drop in the teen birth rate, which saves Massachusetts nearly $150 million per year. However, there is still much more to be done. A recent national study by the CDC found that teen births are on the rise for the first time in fourteen years.

Health Disparities Initiative (Line Item 4000-0600, Lead Sponsor: Senator Wilkerson) This amendment would create an Office of Health Equity within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and fund that office at $750,000.

This new office would address racial and ethnic health disparities across the Commonwealth, including unequal health risks, access to health care, and the quality of treatment affecting people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. These disparities must be addressed in a comprehensive manner to ensure that every Massachusetts resident has access to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services.

HIV/AIDS Disparities Reduction Initiative (Line Item 4512-0103, Lead Sponsor: Senator Wilkerson)

This amendment will include an additional $1 million in the AIDS line item to reduce HIV/AIDS disparities. This is needed because 50% of people living with and becoming infected with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts are black and Hispanic - but they only make up 12% of the state's whole population.

Sexual health matters, and programs that improve sexual health should be a priority for state government. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. As your constituent, I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 19, 2008