Senator Kirsten Gillibrand holds Health Care Reform conference call with statewide super activists

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2009 Official Portrait of Senator Gillibrand

ALBANY, NY (10/20/2009)(readMedia)-- Family Planning Advocates of New York State hosted a conference call on health care reform this afternoon with Senator Kirsten Gillbrand and nearly 100 Planned Parenthood super activists from around the state. On the 5:15 p.m. call, the Senator gave supporters the latest news from Washington on the status of health care reform and pledged her continued support for comprehensive coverage of reproductive health care and ensuring that women can access the care through the providers they trust, like Planned Parenthood, in the reform fight.

"I'm committed to safeguarding women's health centers, like Planned Parenthood, that are essential points of care for millions across this country," she said. "These health care centers are being politicized as part of this debate. And, as you know, politicizing health care delivery endangers women, putting them at risk for unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and undetected cervical and breast cancer," she told activists on the call.

Time to Deliver: Real Reform Includes Women's Health Care Day of Action

The reproductive health and justice super activists on the call joined thousands more throughout the nation today, taking action in support of the Planned Parenthood Day of Action to urge Congress to support health care reform. Planned Parenthoods around New York State are taking part in the Time to Deliver: Real Reform Includes Women's Health Care to ensure women's health is a priority in health care reform.

"The status quo of unaffordable health care and lack of access is unacceptable for women and for all Americans, and now is the time for real action," Senator Gillibrand said. "I am continuing to push for a robust public plan that can compete with private insurance and drive down costs for everyone."

Gillibrand said the right approach to fixing the nation's broken health care system increases competition, focuses on prevention as opposed to emergency room care, lowers costs for everyone, and strengthens Medicare for seniors. "By addressing lack of access and focusing on preventive care, we can transition from emergency-based care to prevention and wellness strategies that better address chronic disease and saves money and keeps us healthier longer," she explained.

Senator calls activists to action

Super activists are those who already have demonstrated a commitment to protecting women's health care. Today, they and other Planned Parenthood supporters from Long Island to Buffalo called their members of Congress, as did hundreds more nationwide. The Senator urged them to take their support a step further.

Senator Gillibrand asked super activists on the call to ask family and friends to lend their voices in support of women's health and health care reform by contacting their members of Congress and urging passage of meaningful reform. "If each of you encourages several family members and friends to contact their Senators and Congressional representatives, hundreds more voices from New York State will join the call for prioritizing women's health care," she said.

Supporters can call the Congressional switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 and ask to be connected with their representative's office or log on to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov for contact information.

"As a leading women's health care advocate in New York State, Family Planning Advocates knows firsthand the importance of making sure women are a priority in health care reform," said M. Tracey Brooks, FPA president and CEO. "That's why our supporters are speaking out during this Day of Action and telling their elected officials that it's 'Time to Deliver on Women's Health Care.'"

With the economic downturn, more and more women and men have turned to community health centers, increasing the already 400,000 patients Planned Parenthoods in New York State treat every year. For many of these women, Planned Parenthood serves as their primary or sole health care provider. A recent Guttmacher Institute study found that more than six in 10 patients who receive care at a women's health center like Planned Parenthood consider it their primary source of health care. These community health centers are an integral part of the nation's health care system.

Family Planning Advocates of New York State is a non-profit, statewide organization dedicated to protecting and expanding access to a full range of reproductive health care services. It represents New York's Planned Parenthood affiliates and other family planning centers, as well as hundreds of organizations and thousands of individual members.

Sen. Gillibrand speaking on Senate floor on Health Care Reform: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abE0nLci7no