For Immediate Release:	January 29, 2009
For More Information:	Allison Conyers, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, aconyers@nfprha.org, 202-293-3114, ext. 204
Sponsor Organization:	National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
Family planning Medicaid expansion would SAVE the federal government more than $200 million over 5 years.
Contrary to recent reports federal funding for family planning services makes sense. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) the Family Planning Medicaid Expansion would SAVE the federal government more than $200 million over 5 years. Below are facts to dispel the rumors and inaccuracies that have flooded America’s airwaves and papers over the last few days. Myth: Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats want the government to spend $200 million for contraception for all Americans and abortion-on-demand. Fact: Actually, federal funding for family planning saves taxpayers and the federal government money. Expanding access to counseling, sex education, contraception and preventive health screenings for low-income and uninsured women and families will benefit taxpayers. Publicly funded family planning services save taxpayers approximately $4.3 billion dollars in maternity and infant care costs every year, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Furthermore, expanded access to contraception reduces the need for abortion. Myth: Family planning supporters want to limit the number of births people have. Fact: Voluntary access to family planning services allow health care providers to give low-income Americans tools to make their own family decisions. Family planning providers work to ensure that people have what they need to act responsibly, stay healthy and plan for strong families. This includes contraception, but it also includes counseling, sex education, STD screenings and referrals. To suggest anything else is a disservice to the American public. Myth: Family planning does nothing to stimulate the economy and is just another wasteful government-funded program. Fact: Family planning saves taxpayers money and helps reduce unintended pregnancy. Several states with expanded family planning Medicaid services found they allow providers to hire new staff and extend hours – creating jobs and serving additional patients. Every $1 spent on publicly funded family planning saves more than $4 in state and federal dollars. A 2007 Congressional Budget Office evaluation of Medicaid Family Planning Expansions found that the federal government would save more than $200 million over 5 years and $400 million over 10 years. The American public is owed the truth. House Republicans have too often been quoted misconstruing the facts; it’s time to get the facts straight. Family planning saves money, reduces unintended pregnancies and is critical health care for women. -###- The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) is a vital membership organization of dedicated family planning providers – public health departments, hospitals, general health providers and stand-alone reproductive health caregivers