Governor Patrick signed the State's FY 2009 Budget this past Sunday.  We are pleased to announce that the line items for teen pregnancy prevention ($4 million) and the Office of Health Equity ($250,000) were approved.  These successful outcomes would not have been possible without your support!

However, Governor Patrick did reduce the overall funding for the line item that includes family planning by $360,000.  Family planning programs provide vital and cost-effective health services, and there is still a large portion of the state where people do not have access to these programs.  Please contact your legislators today and urge them to support an override of this veto.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to support an override of Governor Patrick's funding reduction for the line item that includes family planning programs (4513-1000). These programs are vital to improving sexual health, and we must continue to invest in them and the low-income men and women that rely on these services.

Comprehensive family planning programs include HIV counseling and testing services, medical and gynecological examinations, contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, screenings and follow-ups for breast and cervical cancer, and a number of other health screenings, among numerous other services. These programs provide vital outreach to low-income uninsured women, men and adolescents.

While funding has been increased over the last few years, there is still a huge portion of the population that is not receiving services. In addition to improving lives, these programs provide tremendous savings to the Commonwealth. Data show that every dollar invested in these programs saves almost $3.80 in Medicaid costs for prenatal and newborn care.

Please contact Senate President Murray or House Speaker DiMasi and tell them you support the override of this veto. As your constituent, I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 17, 2008