The proposed operational budget for the Thurston County Health Department includes the elimination of all family planning services. Join me and others from our community this evening to fight for the future of Family Planning. The public hearing before the Thurston County Council from 5:30 - 8:30 pm, 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW Building 1 Room 152 Olympia, WA 98502

The Thurston County Family Planning Clinic serves an essential role within our community. Nearly half of all sexually active young adults (13-29) will contract a sexually transmitted infection. Most of these are treated easily when detected early. With more and more of Thurston County's families losing their jobs, fewer of these youth are insured. They have two options: get tested and treated early at the family planning clinic, or wait until an infection becomes so severe that it requires hospitalization.

Our youth are facing unprecedented hardship. The lack of easily accessible basic health care and prevention services is placing them at risk for systemic infections leading to blindness, permanent organ damage, infertility and even death. In Dallas County Texas, County Commissioners banned the distribution of condoms through the local health jurisdiction. Nearly a decade later, Dallas County now has the highest HIV infection rate in their state. We know what happens when prevention and basic health care are not available, and we must act now.

Thurston County's tax payers have supported the Family Planning Clinic for years. Our return on investment has been huge. Disease transmission has been limited, families are equipped with the knowledge necessary to prevent pregnancies they're not ready for, and women's lives are saved through vaccination and annual exams.  If we lose our public health infrastructure, it is unlikely we will get it back.

Today is our day to save Family Planning and save lives. Join me and others from our community this evening for a public hearing before the Thurston County Council from 5:30 - 8:30 pm, County Building 1 room 152. 


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