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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Stephanie Cannon, Volunteer at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York
5:01:52
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Stephanie Cannon, a volunteer at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY), testified about the importance of PPGNY's services and urged the council to support critical investments in the organization. She shared personal experiences of how PPGNY has been crucial in providing sexual and reproductive health care throughout her life.
- PPGNY is facing financial difficulties due to long-standing underinvestment in reproductive healthcare, rising healthcare costs, and workforce shortages.
- The organization is requesting $1,250,000 from the reproductive and sexual health initiative and an additional $1,250,000 from the speaker's list on top of current funding.
- PPGNY serves over 70,000 New Yorkers annually, providing vital healthcare services and educational programs.
Stephanie Cannon
5:01:52
Good afternoon.
5:01:53
My name is Stephanie Stupak Cannon.
5:01:56
I'm a volunteer at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.
5:01:58
I want to thank the chair of the health committee, council member Lynn Schulman, and the committee members for the chance to discuss how PPGNY's programs and services have benefited me and many New Yorkers throughout the city.
5:02:10
For over one hundred years, PPGNY has been a trusted provider of sexual and reproductive health care and education programs for communities throughout New York.
5:02:18
Today, I'm here to urge the council to support critical investments in PPGNY to ensure they can continue to provide the care for over 70,000 New Yorkers.
5:02:28
I was raised by a single mom who couldn't afford health care.
5:02:30
So at 17 it was Planned Parenthood who gave me my first OBGYN exam, birth control, and the education to help me enter adulthood safely.
5:02:39
As I grew older, they've been a lifeline for accessing vital health care in my scariest moments.
5:02:44
While many people now know about PrEP, a daily pill which can help prevent HIV, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York was there for me when I needed to start PEP, post exposure prophylaxis, within seventy two hours to reduce the risk of contracting HIV after a partner's condom broke.
5:03:00
Their compassionate and prompt care not only made me feel safe in a dire time, but also allowed me to sit before you HIV free today.
5:03:08
This year PPGNY is asking for an increase in funding to support its programs and allow it to continue to provide health care to any New Yorker who might need it.
5:03:15
You may know that PPGNY has been forced to make several painful decisions in the last year to ensure they can provide the care to New Yorkers that they rely on.
5:03:23
Long standing under investment in reproductive healthcare combined with soaring healthcare costs and workforce shortages have contributed to the intense financial difficulties that PPGNY has been experiencing.
5:03:35
Every year PPGNY loses tens of millions of dollars because of gaps between reimbursement rates and the cost of care.
5:03:42
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 from the speakers list on top of current funding to allow PPGNY to continue to provide healthcare services and educational programs.