Clinic closures would hurt

Family planning services in our state are in crisis, and the situation may get worse. If the cuts in the current state budget are not reversed, nearly 12,500 people will lose access to family planning services and at least 19 family planning clinics are likely to close. That means we’d lose over a quarter of all the low-income family planning clinics in our state.

As a society, we cannot afford to let this happen. Family planning is essential health care. It gives people control over their lives and keeps them healthy. It also prevents unplanned pregnancies among women of all ages – from teenagers to 40-year-old moms.

Family planning not only helps individuals, it helps communities. Family planning actually saves the state money. For every dollar it invests, Washington state saves $4.39.

Now more than ever we need our state legislators to make smart, thoughtful decisions. They need to restore funding for our state’s family planning programs. It’s what’s best for people and the bottom line.

Kay Simonsmeier

Spokane