You can Help Protect Family Planning in California

Planned Parenthood ® of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties

A Huge Step Forward, But We're Not There Yet

Great news for Family PACT! We’ve taken a huge step forward...now let’s keep the momentum up! The Budget Conference Committee voted to reject the Governor’s proposed cuts to the family planning program Family PACT!

The budget is still not final, so we can’t stop now. We’ve got continue to have a voice in the Capitol, and we need your help! Please contact Assemblymembers Pedro Nava and Julia Brownley TODAY and urge them to protect Family PACT!

The best thing you can do right now is to call 2 legislators that represent part of the local Planned Parenthood affiliate. It only takes one minute! You may speak with someone from the office staff, or leave a voice message.

Assemblymember Pedro Nava: (916) 319-2035
Assemblymember Julia Brownley: (916) 319-2041

Sample Phone script:

Hello, my name is ____________. I’m calling to urge the Assemblymember to support the budget Conference Committee’s decision to protect family planning funds.
The Committee rejected the Governor’s cut to family planning because they knew California would lose hundreds of millions of dollars in matching federal funds.
Family planning provides basic health care to millions of women including cancer screenings, birth control and STD testing and treatment.
Can we count on the Assemblymember to support the Committee’s vote and protect family planning?

Let us know you made the call! Email brianna.eardley@ppsbvslo.org with “I called (legislator name)!” in the subject line to let us know that you called.

After you called, you can also show your support by sending an email. Simply edit the letter in the space below and hit "Send this Message" button to the right.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support Conf Committee Decision to Save Family Planning

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a supporter of Planned Parenthood, I am writing to you today to urge you to support the budget conference committee's decision to protect family planning funds.

The conference committee rejected the governor's cut to family planning because they knew it would mean California would lose hundreds of millions of dollars in matching federal funds and result in almost immediate new costs to the state.

Family planning provides essential health care to millions of women including breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception and preventive care.

90% of family planning is funded by the federal government. California puts up one dollar and the federal government adds $9 more. Family planning saves the state billions in future medical and social service costs associated with unintended pregnancy. We would actually be increasing our deficit if we cut this valuable program.

Please support the budget conference committee's vote protect family planning.

Thank You.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 19, 2009

Background Information

During these difficult economic times, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to cut family planning funding just doesn't make fiscal sense. For every dollar the state spends on family planning, the federal government adds $9 – the highest federal match of any program.

Thanks to your calls and contacts to legislators over the last week - over 1000 - our message was heard loud and clear in Sacramento! We could never have passed this hurdle without your help- your calls really did make all the difference!

Cuts to the Family PACT program would force millions of women, men, and teens to go without affordable birth control, cancer screenings, and STD testing and treatment.