Eight hundred advocates weather one of worst storms of the year to attend FPA’s 5th Legislative Conference. Despite the successes of the last five years, many of the same threats remain on both the state and federal level.

FPA achieves numerous successes this year: countering an anti-choice effort to remove Planned Parenthood as a United Way recipient; organizing a letter-writing campaign to oppose increasing Congressional restrictions on family planning clinics; and co-sponsoring a workshop at the New York State Public Health Association’s annual meeting on barriers to reproductive health services for adolescents with the Bureau of Family Planning.

In a demonstration of pro-choice clout, 25,000 petitions are presented by FPA to state and federal elected officials in opposition to bans on abortion.

At the conclusion of the Legislative Session, an additional $500,000 is added to the State Budget for family planning. FPA plays a lead role in saving the State Education Department’s Family Life Education program. Legislative victories include the defeat of bills to exclude insurance coverage for abortion and mandate parental consent.