[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 96 (Thursday, June 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5447-S5448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 565--SUPPORTING AND RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF 
 THE FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES PROGRAMS OPERATING UNDER TITLE X OF THE 
                       PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Franken, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Mr. Begich, 
Mr. Kerry, Mr. Wyden, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. 
Boxer, Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Murray, and Mrs. Gillibrand) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 565

       Whereas 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the family 
     planning services programs operating under title X of the 
     Public Health Service Act which has for 40 years provided 
     low-income people in the United States access to 
     contraceptive services, supplies, and information regardless 
     of their ability to pay for these services;
       Whereas a 2009 report from the Institute of Medicine echoed 
     the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's finding 
     that, ``family planning is one of the most significant public 
     health achievements of the twentieth century'';
       Whereas the family planning services programs operating 
     under title X are the only dedicated source of Federal 
     funding for family planning services in the United States;
       Whereas in 2008, 17,400,000 people were in need of publicly 
     funded services and supplies;
       Whereas in 2008, title X-funded family planning providers 
     worked tirelessly to serve over 5,000,000 low-income men and 
     women;
       Whereas publicly supported family planning services, such 
     as those provided by title X, help to prevent 1,500,000 
     unintended pregnancies each year;
       Whereas the contribution of family planning services in 
     assisting women in the planning and spacing of their 
     pregnancies is linked to a reduction in infant mortality;
       Whereas every dollar spent to provide services in the 
     nationwide network of publicly funded family planning clinics 
     saves $3.74 in Medicaid-related costs;

[[Page S5448]]

       Whereas title X funds allow health centers to provide an 
     array of confidential preventive health services, including 
     contraceptive services, pelvic exams, pregnancy testing, 
     screening for cervical and breast cancer, screening for high 
     blood pressure, anemia, and diabetes, screening for STDs, 
     including HIV, basic infertility services, health education, 
     and referrals for other health and social services;
       Whereas in 2008, title X centers provided over 2,200,000 
     Pap tests and over 2,300,000 clinical breast exams; and
       Whereas women who have access to family planning services 
     have better health outcomes: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges the family planning services programs 
     operating under title X of the Public Health Service Act as a 
     critical component of the United States public health care 
     system, providing high-quality family planning services and 
     other preventive health care to low-income or uninsured 
     individuals who may otherwise lack access to health care;
       (2) recognizes family planning providers at Title X health 
     centers who work tirelessly to provide quality care to 
     millions of low-income women and men in the United States; 
     and
       (3) supports the mission of the family planning services 
     programs operating under title X which provide men and women 
     the opportunity to maintain their reproductive health which 
     contributes to the health, social, and economic well-being of 
     families in the United States.

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