In the Assembly Budget Committee on Thursday, June 24, Assemblyman Jay Webber referenced a brochure called “Healthy, Happy and Hot” developed by young people living with HIV to help other young people living with HIV.

We would like an opportunity to correct the record and present the facts about these materials.

These materials were developed by the London-based International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), not Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) nor any Planned Parenthood affiliates in New Jersey. IPPF is a separate organization, with member organizations in more than 170 countries. PPFA is one of many member organizations, but has no role or input on IPPF materials.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America and all of New Jersey’s Planned Parenthood affiliates advocate teaching sex education that emphasizes abstinence as the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. We also advocate for providing young people with medically accurate, age appropriate information about healthy communication, responsible decision-making, contraception and disease prevention.

S-2139 and A-3019 would restore funding for women’s health care services in New Jersey that has been completely eliminated in the proposed FY11 budget. Since the early 1970s, state funding has supported basic reproductive health care services at family planning health centers. In FY2009, the line item totaling $7.5 million was granted to 16 agencies to support services at 58 health center sites. Last year, family planning providers supported by state funding saw over 136,000 women and men, provided over 70,000 screenings for breast cancer and over 65,000 Pap tests. Our providers estimate that they will see almost 40,000 less patients as a direct result of the elimination of state funds.

Assemblyman Webber’s misleading attack on Planned Parenthood by suggesting that family planning funding would go to materials produced and distributed by a different organization based in London is a shameful tactic and should be condemned. Assemblyman Webber is simply trying to distract from the real issue, which is if family planning funding is cut, women in New Jersey will lose access to vital basic health care.
Michele Jaker
Executive Director
Planned Parenthood Affiliates
of New Jersey