NJ Governor Murphy Signs Bill Expanding Access to Reproductive Health Care in New Jersey

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards joined Gov. Murphy at the bill signing (remarks here) 

This follows sweeping national push for policies to protect and expand reproductive rights and health care

TRENTON, NJ — Today, alongside Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill that will expand access to reproductive health care for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans by restoring funding to Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers. This law comes on the heels of Planned Parenthood’s sweeping plan to push initiatives to expand access to reproductive health across the country, growing out of the unprecedented grassroots organizing nationwide against attacks from the Trump-Pence administration.

“With Gov. Murphy signing this bill, thousands of New Jerseyans will now have access to cancer screenings, STI testing, birth control, and the freedom to choose Planned Parenthood as their trusted provider,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This moment is a testament to what’s possible when we work together. This is why we do the work we do –– to enact policies to change people lives for the better.”

“We cannot immediately undo the damage of eight years of vetoed women’s health care funding under Gov. Christie,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “But we can put the era of putting personal politics before the needs of countless thousands of New Jerseyans behind us. We are one state, one family, and we will stand in support of everyone’s access to family planning.”

“New Jersey is getting back on the right path when it comes to women’s health care,” said Triste Brooks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. “We are grateful that Gov. Murphy and the state legislature have taken such swift action on behalf of our patients.”

“At Planned Parenthood, we believe that access to reproductive health care should not depend on who you are, where you live, or how much money you make,” said Roslyn Y. Rogers Collins, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey. “This funding will help ensure access to lifesaving, preventive care — no matter your income or your zip code.”

In addition to New Jersey, Planned Parenthood is joining advocates, state lawmakers, and fellow advocacy organizations to advance positive reproductive health policies in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia this month alone — with many more to come. The policies include protections for birth control insurance coverage and bills that expand access to abortion. You can read more about Planned Parenthood’s initiative here. 

The law that Gov. Murphy signed restores family planning funding that will help tens of thousands of New Jerseyans access birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment at Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care providers. Throughout his campaign, Gov. Murphypromised to protect women’s health care access, and signing this bill into law shows that the governor is making good on this promise. In 2010, former Gov. Chris Christie made massive cuts to the program, which was followed by a subsequent rise in STDs and cancer cases in the state. Additionally, six women's health and family planning clinics closed and several others scaled back their hours and services after the money was eliminated in 2010, resulting in New Jerseyans losing access to care.

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be found here.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.