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Support Sexual Health Amendments to the House Budget!
The Massachusetts House of Representatives will begin debating their version of the Fiscal Year 2010 State Budget starting today. There are two sexual and reproductive health-related budget amendments that require your legislators hear from you immediately. Fully funding these programs would be a cost-effective investment in prevention, even in these challenging economic times.
Please contact your state representative today to tell them that sexual health matters, and ask them to support these two amendments!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Support Sexual Health Amendments to the House Budget!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am writing to ask you to support two budget amendments that impact sexual and reproductive health in Massachusetts. Funding these prevention-focused items would be a cost-effective investment in improving public health in the Commonwealth, even in today's challenging times.
Family Planning Programs (Amendment 377, Lead Sponsor: Representative Haddad) This amendment would increase the funding for this line item from $4.3 million to $5 million, which would restore the funding back to where it was after Governor Patrick made emergency cuts this year, and the amendment would also ensure that all of the money would be spent on these programs.
Comprehensive family planning programs include HIV counseling and testing services, medical and gynecological examinations, contraception, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, screenings and other follow-ups for breast and cervical cancer, and a number of other health screenings, among numerous other services. These programs provide vital outreach and essential health care to low-income uninsured women, men, and adolescents.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs (Amendment 112, Lead Sponsor: Representative Reinstein) This amendment would restore funding for this line item from $3.1 million to $4 million, which was the original funding level for FY09.
These prevention programs have been incredibly successful in Massachusetts. This is no time to be cutting funding. There were 4944 births to Massachusetts teens in 2007, meaning there are more than 10,000 teen girls who are currently parents in the Commonwealth. Also, 20 out of 25 communities with the highest teen birth rates saw increases in 2007.
Sexual health matters, and programs that improve sexual health deserve protection. Thank you for your consideration of these requests. As your constituent, I look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
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