In Our State House
Current Legislation
State Budget
Legislative Victories
Are Your Legislators Pro-Choice?
Protect and Elect Campaign
| Home > In Our State House |
|
Massachusetts FY 2012 Budget
Governor Deval Patrick signed the Fiscal Year 2012 budget on July 11, 2011. Given our commitment to promoting access to the full range of reproductive health services, NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts is grateful that the budget made no cuts to either family planning or teen pregnancy prevention, even in this difficult fiscal climate. This decision marks a departure from the original budget proposal by both the Governor and the House, which included a sizeable reduction for family planning services.
Family Planning (DPH Line Item 4513-1000):
Thankfully, at the end of the day, both chambers of the legislature and the governor agreed to maintain family planning funding at $4.65 million, preserving critical safety net programs that provide reproductive health care to lower-income women, men, and adolescents. Services include contraceptive counseling and methods, HIV counseling and testing, medical and gynecological examinations, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and screenings and follow-ups for breast and cervical cancer. Funding for family planning is recognized to be a cost-effective program, saving approximately $3.75 for every $1 spent.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention (DPH 4530-9000):
This line item is funded at nearly $2.4 million. We applaud the Governor, the House, and Senate for continuing to invest in these programs to help young people avoid unintended pregnancies, which can have a devastating impact on a teenager's family and future. The 9% reduction in the number of teen births in Massachusetts in 2008 saved the Commonwealth $16 million in costs associated with health care and public assistance programs. One in four (26%) teens who have dropped out of school – including one-third (33%) of girls who left school – cite teen parenthood as a leading reason they did so.
We applaud the Legislature and the Governor FY12 for completing one of the toughest budgets of our lifetime. It is critical that the Commonwealth continue to fund these programs to create a healthier, more productive Commonwealth in the future.
Family Planning (DPH Line Item 4513-1000):
Thankfully, at the end of the day, both chambers of the legislature and the governor agreed to maintain family planning funding at $4.65 million, preserving critical safety net programs that provide reproductive health care to lower-income women, men, and adolescents. Services include contraceptive counseling and methods, HIV counseling and testing, medical and gynecological examinations, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and screenings and follow-ups for breast and cervical cancer. Funding for family planning is recognized to be a cost-effective program, saving approximately $3.75 for every $1 spent.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention (DPH 4530-9000):
This line item is funded at nearly $2.4 million. We applaud the Governor, the House, and Senate for continuing to invest in these programs to help young people avoid unintended pregnancies, which can have a devastating impact on a teenager's family and future. The 9% reduction in the number of teen births in Massachusetts in 2008 saved the Commonwealth $16 million in costs associated with health care and public assistance programs. One in four (26%) teens who have dropped out of school – including one-third (33%) of girls who left school – cite teen parenthood as a leading reason they did so.
We applaud the Legislature and the Governor FY12 for completing one of the toughest budgets of our lifetime. It is critical that the Commonwealth continue to fund these programs to create a healthier, more productive Commonwealth in the future.
JOIN US: