2007 News Releases
New Studies Show Need for Comprehensive Sex Education
11.8.2007
Two new studies released this week find abstinence-only sex education to be ineffective and inadequate. While the federal government continues to pour funding into failed abstinence-only sex education, resources for comprehensive sex education programs are desperately needed.
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Commissioner Daines Announces Increased State Support for Family Planning
10.25.2007
During the keynote address at Family Planning Advocates’ Annual Meeting, New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines announced that the Department of Health will add $2.2 million to this year’s family planning agency grants to cover the cost of emergency contraception. He also said that the Department will add a supplement to the Medicaid rate for Implanon and IUDs – two highly effective, but more costly, methods of birth control. The State will also cover the cost of critical follow-up services for family planning clients which were recently denied by restrictive federal policies. Click here for Dr. Daines' remarks.
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Family Planning Advocates of New York State Honors Exceptional Women’s Health Advocates
10.25.2007
On October 25th Family Planning Advocates of NYS held its 30th Annual Meeting. During the event FPA recognized Phoebe Bender, Khadija Abukar, Sadiya Omar, Barbara McTague, Ellen Anderson and Phyllis Silver for their efforts to enhance access to reproductive health care in New York.
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Statement by JoAnn M. Smith, President and CEO of Family Planning Advocates on the Nomination of Dr. Susan Orr
10.17.2007
President Bush nominated Dr. Susan Orr, a birth control and sex education opponent, to the position of acting deputy assistant secretary for population affairs (DASPA). The DASPA oversees Title X, the nation's family planning program, which provides family planning and preventive health care services to more than five million low-income individuals annually.
Catholic Charities’ Opposition to Women’s Health Law is Put to Rest by the U.S. Supreme Court
10.1.2007
The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to hear Catholic Charities’ attempt to dismantle New York’s Women’s Health and Wellness Act. The law - which has been in effect since January 1, 2003 - requires insurance plans to cover women’s health services including osteoporosis exams, prescription contraceptives, and breast and cervical cancer screening.
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Governor Spitzer Refuses Federal Funding for Flawed Abstinence-Only Sex Education Programs
9.20.2007
Family Planning Advocates cheered New York State’s announcement that it is refusing federal Title V funding for ineffective abstinence-only sex education programs. The State Department of Health cancelled all existing abstinence-only contracts under the federal Title V program. Beginning October 1, the State will redirect state funds to comprehensive sex education programs.
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FPA Urges Federal Approval of NYS Plan to Extend Health Care Coverage to Uninsured Children in NY
8.30.2007
New Yorks Planned Parenthoods and Family Planning Advocates issued a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urging the approval of New York State's plan to expand New York's State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
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Women Celebrate One Year Anniversary of EC Available OTC
8.24.2007
Family Planning Advocates celebrated the one year anniversary of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval of over-the-counter (OTC) sales of emergency contraception (EC) by vowing to continue its work to expand access to this safe, effective backup birth control method. Fact sheets on EC are available for consumers and pharmacists on FPA’s Education Fund website.
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Last Chance for Senate to Pass the Healthy Teens Act
6.21.2007
New York State Senators were greeted by advocates holding signs saying "Pass the Healthy Teens Act" as they enter the Senate Chamber today on the last scheduled day of the Legislative Session.
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Students deliver 20,000 signatures supporting real sex education to Senator Bruno
6.7.2007
Students and advocates for comprehensive sex education delivered 20,000 signatures to Senator Joseph Bruno urging passage of the Healthy Teens Act. More than 150 organizations participating in the Get the Facts NY Campaign have been gathering support for the bill over the past year.
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Healthy Teens Act Week: June 4-9
6.4.2007
Teens, Parents, Teachers and Clergy will urge the Senate to Support Real Sex Education
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Assembly Advances Bill to Increase Access to Emergency Contraception
5.29.2007
The New York State Assembly passed the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act (A.5569/S.3579) by a huge margin of 115 to 27. This bill would enable women to obtain emergency contraception (EC) in pharmacies and from nurses through collaborative agreements with physicians.
Healthy Teens Act One Step Closer to Becoming Law
5.8.2007
The New York State Senate Health Committee today advanced the Healthy Teens Act (A.2856/S.1342) with a favorable report on the bill. The Healthy Teens Act would provide resources to fund age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education for youth in New York State.
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Legislators Honor 40th Anniversary of Clergy Who Helped Women Obtain Safe Abortions Before Roe v. Wade
5.2.2007
The heroic efforts of clergy who helped women obtain safe abortions before Roe v. Wade were honored today with a proclamation sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith.
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Sex Education Tops the Agenda for 2007 Clergy Breakfast
5.2.2007
Clergy and people of faith from across New York will meet with State Legislators in support of comprehensive sex education for youth at a Clergy Breakfast to be held in the State Capital.
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Statement by JoAnn M. Smith, Regarding Governor Spitzer’s Announcement of the Introduction of the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act
4.25.2007
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Conference to Address Language Access in Reproductive Health Care
4.25.2007
Immigrant women and representatives of health organizations, agencies and foundations will discuss language access issues critical to improving the delivery of reproductive healthcare.
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Advocates Express Outrage Over Today's Supreme Court Decision
4.18.2007
Women will gather outside the Senate Chamber to draw attention to the detrimental effects this decision will have on the health and lives of women across the country.
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Abortion Ban Devastating to Women’s Health
4.18.2007
Setting a new and dangerous precedent for women’s health, the Supreme Court today upheld an abortion ban passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush in 2003.
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Federal Abstinence Only Programs Not Proven Effective Report Shows
4.13.2007
Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs funded under the 1996 federal welfare reform law have not been proven effective in delaying sexual activity or reducing teen pregnancy, according to a report released today by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
Assembly Advances the Healthy Teens Act
3.27.2007
The New York State Assembly today passed the Healthy Teens Act (A.2856/S.1342) by a vote of 130 to 11, bringing New York closer to providing young people with age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education.
Cynthia Nixon, of Sex and the City, and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood, highlight Family Planning Advocates' 30th Annual Conference
3.26.2007
More than 1000 pro-choice advocates from across New York State will attend Family Planning Advocates’ 30th Anniversary Conference on March 26 at the Empire State Plaza. They will celebrate this milestone with Emmy-award winning actress Cynthia Nixon, star of HBO’s Sex and the City, Governor Eliot Spitzer, elected officials, and national and international women’s health experts.
Founders of New York's Pro-Choice Movement Reunite at Family Planning Advocates' 30th Anniversary Celebration
3.25.2007
The founders of Family Planning Advocates of New York State, who were key to preserving abortion rights in the state and the nation, will gather Sunday evening to celebrate Family Planning Advocates’ 30th Anniversary.
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Public Health Expert Says New York Needs the Healthy Teens Act
3.21.2007
Dr. John Santelli to meet with Assemblymember Naomi Rivera to discuss high teen pregnancy rates
Reproductive Health Bills Advance in Assembly
2.27.2007
Two major reproductive health bills were advanced by the New York State Assembly today. The Healthy Teens Act and the Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act were both favorably reported by the Assembly Committee on Health. These bills are top priorities for Family Planning Advocates and Planned Parenthoods in New York State.
Prevention is the Priority
2.13.2007
Both of New York’s U.S. Senators and 17 members of the state’s Congressional delegation are sponsoring the federal Prevention First Act (HR.819/S.21). The Prevention First Act, written by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28), will increase access to family planning, improve health care for low-income women and families, and prevent unintended pregnancies.
Family Planning Advocates is joining with New York Planned Parenthoods in a nationwide day of action, calling on elected officials to pass legislation that helps prevent unintended pregnancy and support healthy women and families.
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Statement by Family Planning Advocates President and CEO JoAnn M. Smith on Governor Spitzer's Agenda to Reform New York's Health Care System
1.26.2007
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State Expands Access to Emergency Contraception
1.25.2007
Family Planning Advocates of New York State praised Governor Eliot Spitzer for moving swiftly to expand access to Plan B emergency contraception to prevent unintended pregnancy. Beginning February 1, New York State Medicaid clients will be able to receive coverage for over-the-counter Plan B emergency contraception (EC) without a fiscal order from a health care provider.
The Healthy Teens Act Introduced in NYS Senate and Assembly
1.24.2007
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Assemblymember Richard Gottfried and Senator George Winner today introduced legislation to secure funding for comprehensive sex education in New York State. The Healthy Teens Act (A.2856/S.1342) would provide resources to fund age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education for youth."
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Family Planning Advocates Applauds Spitzer’s First State of the State
1.3.2007
Family Planning Advocates of New York State applauded Governor Eliot Spitzer’s first State of the State Address. Citing a woman's right to control her own reproductive health, the Governor declared that "we must ensure that our state laws protect that right, should the federal courts compromise it."
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New York Must Resolve to Provide Real Sex Education for Teens
1.2.2007
Family Planning Advocates of New York State today announced
that the Healthy Teens Act will be at the top of their 2007 legislative agenda. FPA President and CEO JoAnn M. Smith said she expects to work with Governor Eliot Spitzer and members of the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that will provide support for real sex education for New York’s youth during the upcoming legislative session.