When people have full access to family planning services, they are better able to keep themselves healthy and avoid unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That’s why PPAF works to ensure funding for the comprehensive family planning services offered at PPLM.  Our health centers work hard every day to ensure that patients have access to affordable preventive care, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, HIV testing, and testing and treatment for other STIs.

In 2010, PPLM became one of the state’s five Title X grantees, which allowed PPLM to expand its presence in Central Massachusetts in order to address their need for better access to family planning services. The Title X Family Planning Program was established in 1970 and has played an essential role in successful national efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies and STIs. Title X is a key component of our nation’s health care infrastructure and serves over five million low-income individuals across the country every year.

PPAF focuses our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and the lawmakers that determine funding levels for the Title X program. In spite of its success in keeping communities healthy, Title X is consistently under attack and often the first program that extreme lawmakers and politicians throw on the chopping block. Opponents of women’s health have politicized the program, falsely characterizing it as a funnel for abortion funding. In order to combat these political attacks, PPAF works with colleagues throughout the country and at the national level to correct both the public’s and lawmakers’ understanding of the program. We are also building the grassroots support necessary to defeat dangerous proposals that threaten to cut Title X funding.

At the state level, PPAF has activated its network of supporters to protest the cuts to family planning funding that are proposed during each budget cycle. To increase support for family planning at the State House, PPAF also supports candidates who recognize family planning programs as critical investments that will improve the public’s health and provide economic benefits for the state.

For every public dollar invested in family planning, $4.02 is saved in Medicaid-related costs. Shortchanging family planning means shortchanging critical lifesaving services such as cancer screenings and HIV tests. It will also mean more unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Title X, the state budget, and health care reform are all important areas where PPAF is fighting for comprehensive family planning funding and coverage. Read more about our position of Health Care Reform.