Friends,

Wednesday marked a step in the right direction for women in New Jersey.

We met with Governor Christie to explain to him the importance of the women’s health legislation on his desk.

Sign our Petition Supporting Women's Health Funding Restoration

After our meeting, the Governor said he was considering the restoration of $7.5 million towards women’s health and family planning clinics.

We’re also glad Governor Christie distanced himself from the disparaging comments of his Republican Party Chairman so we can have a rational debate on the merits of this issue.

This meeting provided us with the opportunity to demonstrate to the Governor the important services provided for by this funding.

We have called repeatedly for the Governor to take action on this important piece of legislation.

(Weinberg, Stender, Oliver & Buono on Need for Gov. Christie to Restore Women's Healthcare Funding (S-2139/A-3019) from NJ Assembly Democratic Office on Vimeo).

This meeting and the initial passage of the bill could not have been possible without the help of all of our supporters.

While this was a huge step in the right direction, it is not the end of the fight. In order to demonstrate to the Governor the importance of this issue we need everyone who has not yet signed the petition to do so, and forward to your friends.

Also please call the Governor's office at 609-292-6000 and urge him to sign the bill.

With your help we will restore this crucial funding to women’s health services.

Thank You,
Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Linda Stender

PS - Below is some information about this issue:

Click here to read the bill

It is important to consider who is hurt most by the current cuts: low-income New Jerseyans that are already hit hard by the budget. In 2009 alone, 136,000 families in New Jersey made use of family planning facilities, men and women included. For those of lower socioeconomic status, these agencies serve as a gateway to primary healthcare services that would otherwise be out of their reach. This indiscriminate cut would deprive New Jerseyans of access to broader medical care.

Opponents maintain that the services provided by these clinics can be found elsewhere in the health care system saying that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) could pick up the slack. These cavalier dismissals are irresponsible: these facilities are already over burdened and will now be called upon to take on 135000 more men and women, and they have conveniently failed to note that these clinics are a primary source of health care for those without health insurance in New Jersey, approximately 400,000 people.

What can you do to help?

1. Sign our petition supporting the restoration of these important health services and pass this email along to your friends.
2. Call the Governor’s office at 609-292-6000 and tell him to sign the legislation to reverse the cuts to family planning and women’s health services.