Planned Parenthood – For Immediate Release | March 12, 2025
Contact: Senti Sojwal | senti.sojwal@ppgreaterny.org | 917-757-4908
NEW YORK, NY – Due to Medicaid underfunding alone, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is experiencing a multimillion-dollar annual underfunding of our operations. We have an urgent need to raise critical funds through public and private funding. We have a longstanding partnership with New York City Council, which has historically supported our organization and the services we offer throughout the city. We now ask for additional support. We are requesting an expansion of $2.5 million for PPGNY from the Council – this would make a small but necessary improvement in this deficit, allowing us to continue to serve close to 7,500 New Yorkers. Our request includes an expansion of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative by $1.25M and an additional allocation of $1.25M to PPGNY through Speakers’ List Funding. This request is just part of a larger campaign for relief from our elected leaders. In addition to our request to the NYC Council, PPGNY is requesting significant increases in grant funding in the New York State budget this fiscal year to support our services and care delivery.
Statement from Dipal Shah, Chief External Affairs Officer, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York:
The state of sexual and reproductive care is at a breaking point – even here in New York. Longstanding under-investment in reproductive health care, combined with soaring health care costs, workforce shortages, the havoc wreaked by the COVID pandemic, and care restrictions imposed in the wake of the Dobbs decision are limiting care access today. Additionally, we know that the Trump administration is bringing new attacks on our funding and service delivery. To ensure Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) can continue to provide the care our communities depend on, we are asking the New York City Council to allocate increased funding to our organization through the FY26 Budget. We are proud to provide critical care to New Yorkers at low or no cost, but we cannot do it alone. Our champions in elected office must step to truly invest in reproductive health access so we can be the city our communities deserve, especially in such a hostile national political climate. Here in New York, we must create an abortion ecosystem that is sustainable and equitable for all.
Statement from Council Member Shahana Hanif:
With increasing threats to bodily autonomy at the federal level and across the country, it’s more important than ever that New York City invest in remaining a safe haven for safe and accessible sexual, reproductive, and gender-affirming healthcare,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39), Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus. “When Roe was overturned, I was proud to help the Council establish the largest municipal abortion access fund in the country. As attacks on reproductive rights and gender-affirming care escalate, it’s critical that we not only maintain but expand our commitment to ensuring that every person, regardless of income, immigration status, or where they come from, can access the care they need with dignity and without fear.
Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Women’s Caucus, Council Member Carmen de la Rosa and Council Member Julie Menin:
With reproductive rights under attack, New York’s role in protecting women’s freedoms is more critical than ever. Reproductive health and access to quality care are pillars of the Women’s Caucus and funding organizations like PPG with programs prioritizing women’s reproductive health ensures access to essential care to the women of our city. It also defends against harmful policies and upholds the fundamental human right to a woman’s bodily autonomy. Beyond healthcare, these investments strengthen families, reduce disparities, and reinforce New York’s leadership as a champion for reproductive justice in these challenging times.
New York lawmakers have passed legislation to ensure the legal right to abortion in our state. In turn, New York voters went to the ballot box and enshrined this right into the state constitution. But we know that’s not enough. The legal right to abortion is hollow without equitable access to abortion and sexual and reproductive health care, and this access is only possible with appropriate funds in place to sustain providers.
To that end, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York will advocate for change and testify at two City Council budget hearings with supporters in attendance, details below.
Upcoming City Council Budget Hearings
Committee on Education Hearing
Thursday, March 13th at 2:30pm.
Committee on Health Hearing
Monday, March 24th at 1:30pm.
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About Planned Parenthood of Greater New York:
Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY’s health centers offer patients a wide range of services in-person and by telehealth. PPGNY is a trusted source of medically accurate, evidence-based information that empowers people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health services and education.
