"For every one million cut from family planning services, that represents cutting off services to 4,000 people," explains Dana Laurent, political director for Planned Parenthood Votes! WA. "We're talking about over 18,000 women and families losing access to basic preventative care in Washington."

It seems like I have budget on the brain today. But in the past three state budget cycles, the Department of Health's family planning budget has been cut from $10 million in 2007-2009 to the proposed $4.5 million for the 2011-2013 biennium. And today, congressional leaders will vote on whether or not to defund Planned Parenthood, cutting $300 million in Title X funds for these same basic services.

"Nationally, locally, we're stretched to the brink," says Laurent. Overall, public funding for family planning in Washington has dropped by $14.5 million since 2005 which includes both federal and state cuts. Every dollar cut from family planning services in Washington results in $4.10 in new unintended pregnancy costs that start the same year.

From Planned Parenthood Votes! Washington:

-For every $1 million dollars spent, 4,167 patients will receive essential family planning services.

-Guttmacher studies show that for every 1,000 people who lose access to publicly funded family planning services, 242 will become pregnant. This means 1008 new pregnancies within one year if the $1M family planning is lost.

-Of those 1008 pregnancies, 14% will miscarry, 42% will abort, and 44% will carry to term and have a State Medicaid-paid birth.

-42% of 1008 = 423 abortions, at a cost of $586 each, so 423 x $586 = $247,878

-44% of 1008 = 444 births generating an average state cost of $8,675, so 444 x $8,675 = $3,851,700

-Total costs resulting from the loss of $1M would equal $3,851,700 + $247,878 = $4,099,578 spent, so the savings in this calculation are $4.10 for every $1 we spend on family planning.

 

Call the state legislative hotline (800) 562-6000 and tell your senator that the state—and Washington women—can't afford these cuts.

And for those who think abortions are "over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does," check this out.

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