“We at Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey applaud the members of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee for passing S105 and S120 out of committee earlier today. These two bills will help to expand access to reproductive health services in New Jersey by reversing the harmful cuts put in place by former Governor Christie. S120 will restore essential funding for lifesaving, preventive services, including breast and cervical cancer, birth control, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, while S105 will expand Medicaid coverage for reproductive health services to more New Jersey women, improving care and reducing unintended pregnancy in the state.

“Today is also the 45th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Although the funds in question in these two pieces of legislation do not go towards abortion services, on this day we reflect on the need for all individuals to be able to make their own health care decisions, free of discrimination or interference from politicians. But without the ability to access reproductive health care services in the first place – due to inability to pay, inability to travel long distances to the closest health center miles away, inability to take time off of work, or a litany of other barriers to care – these important decisions cannot be made.

“Now, we call on the full state Legislature to continue to right the wrongs of the previous administration and vote to restore family planning funding. We know that 75 percent of New Jerseyans support the restoration of family planning funding. We look forward to the state legislature and Governor Murphy taking swift action to restore this funding and protect and expand access to reproductive health care.”