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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dr. Gabriela Aguilar, Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
5:07:04
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167 sec
Dr. Gabriela Aguilar, Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY), testifies about the crisis in abortion care in New York and requests increased funding for PPGNY's programs and services. She highlights the financial challenges faced by PPGNY and the difficult decisions they've had to make to sustain operations.
- PPGNY has been forced to pause certain services, close a health center, and plans to sell another due to financial strain
- PPGNY loses over $30 million annually due to gaps between reimbursement rates and rising care delivery costs
- Dr. Aguilar urges the Council to provide $2.5 million in additional funding to support PPGNY's healthcare services and educational programs
Dr. Gabriela Aguilar
5:07:04
My name is Doctor.
5:07:05
Gabriela Aguilar and I'm the medical director at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.
5:07:09
I would like to thank the chairs of the committees on health and mental health, disabilities and addiction, council members Schulman and Lee, and the committee members for the chance to discuss PPGNY's program and services and the need for critical investments.
5:07:23
It's no exaggeration to say that the abortion care ecosystem in New York is in a crisis.
5:07:29
Systemic failures in The US healthcare system have yielded unprecedented challenges that are forcing many healthcare providers including PPGNY to take serious and immediate cost savings measures and pursue long term structural shifts.
5:07:45
For example, we were forced to pause deep sedation services, abortion past twenty weeks of pregnancy, close our Staten Island Health Center, and recently announced plans to sell our Manhattan Health Center in an effort to sustain our operations.
5:08:01
We recognize that New York State has achieved many incredible wins to protect sexual and reproductive healthcare access.
5:08:08
We applaud our leaders for their efforts.
5:08:11
And now, New York must step up its ability to meet the demands of the present day.
5:08:16
True abortion access means fully funding the organizations and providers delivering life saving health care.
5:08:23
We need the New York City Council to prioritize sexual and reproductive health care services more than they ever have before.
5:08:30
As a health care provider, I feel the effects of the strain on reproductive care in our city on a daily basis.
5:08:38
We must continue to fight for our communities, ensuring that abortion is not only protected in New York, but actually accessible for all regardless of ability to pay.
5:08:49
This year, PPGNY is asking for an increase in funding to support its programs and allow it to continue to provide healthcare to any New Yorker who may need it.
5:08:59
You may know that PPGNY has been forced to make several painful decisions in the last year to ensure they can provide the care on which New Yorkers rely to pursue their dreams and live their fullest lives.
5:09:11
Long standing underinvestment in reproductive health care combined with soaring health care costs and COVID have contributed to the intense financial difficulties PPGNY is experiencing.
5:09:22
Every year, PPGNY loses over $30,000,000 because of massive gaps between reimbursement rates and the rising costs of care delivery.
5:09:32
Like everyone else has said, I strongly urge you to support PPGNY's ask for 1,250,000 from the reproductive and sexual health initiative as well as 1,250,000.00 from the speakers list on top of current funding to allow PPGNY to continue to provide healthcare services and educational programs.