The first bill New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed since taking office restores nearly seven-and-a-half million dollars to Planned Parenthood and other women's health facilities.
"Today we are saying in a clear voice that New Jersey will once again stand for the right things. New Jersey will once again stand up for women's health. New Jersey will once again stand strong in support of Planned Parenthood and for reproductive rights."
Six family planning centers in the state closed and others cut staff or services in the eight years that former Governor Chris Christie repeatedly vetoed efforts by the legislature to replace funding he cut from the budget.
Tristie Brooks is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. She says having that funding restored is a great relief.
“It’s been a tough eight years. There was $60 million lost. That’s a lot for any group of providers to suffer. So we’re really excited about expanding access and serving more patients.”
Murphy is also removing the state Family Care program's restriction on providing women access to a long-acting contraception method before they leave the hospital after giving birth.
“Women who want to reduce their chances of rapid repeat pregnancies, which are shown to bring with them by the way increased risks, should have this option. And they should have it at perhaps the time when preventing another pregnancy is front of mind.”