It didn't take long for the new Republican majority in the House to strip the Title X family planning program of its entire $317 million annual budget. The loss of this funding would severely threaten Health Quarters' ability to continue to provide these vital services to low-income women, men and teens in northeastern Massachusetts.
What Can You Do?
- We must make our voices heard in the Senate, where a Democratic majority will work to restore the funding essential to preventing unintended pregnancy and disease and keeping low-income women and families healthy.
- Health Quarters asks its supporters to contact Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry. Urge them to stand up for poor women who need access to preventive care and put forth a budget that maintains current spending levels for Title X.
Senator Scott Brown (D- MA)
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Boston (617) 565-3170 D.C. (202) 224-4543
EMAIL: http://scottbrown.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Senator John F. Kerry (D- MA)
218 Russell Bldg., Second Floor
Washington, D.C. 20510
Boston (617) 565-8519 D.C. (202) 224-2742
EMAIL: http://kerry.senate.gov/contact/
- Consider a gift to Health Quarters to help support our already underfunded care to women who are without insurance and unable to pay. Donate now!
What’s At Stake?
· Health Quarters, with Title X funding, plays a critical role in reducing unplanned pregnancy and preventing disease throughout 50 communities on the North Shore and in the Merrimack Valley.
· HQ provides basic primary and preventive health care, such as lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, STD testing and treatment and HIV/AIDS testing, and annual exams. For many poor women, the only health care they receive is from Health Quarters.
· In 2010 alone, HQ provided 16,565 visits to 9,763 women and men. A total of 8,951 or 88% of our clients earn $22,500 or less per year (200% of the federal poverty level)
· Title X funded services:
> Save taxpayer dollars – Every public $1 spent for family planning saves $3.84 in Medicaid-related costs
> Reduce the prevalence of abortion – In 2008, Title X clinics such as Health Quarters helped avert 973,000 unintended pregnancies, which would have resulted in 406,000 abortions
> Improve the health of women and families – Routine exams, diagnostic tests, and counseling during office visits lead to prevention and early detection of illness
> Are a safety net – HQ provides vital care to very low income individuals; teens and those seeking confidential care; highly mobile and difficult to reach individuals; non-English speaking persons; and those who are un- and under-insured and whose insurance status changes frequently.
Take Action!
Join the 89% of voters who are in favor of public funding for family planning services and raise your voice for the future of Health Quarters. Please contact your Senators now and ask for a vote to restore Title X funding.
We thank you on behalf of the continued health of the thousands of women, men, and teens Health Quarters serves.
