Phila. health board urges public abortion funds

The Philadelphia Board of Health announced Friday that it had adopted a resolution calling on federal and state elected officials to provide public funding for abortion services. The board also urged more support for family planning funds.

States currently share about $300 million a year in federal funds for family planning services such as contraception and STD testing. But only 17 states - including New Jersey but not Pennsylvania - cover abortion for women in public insurance programs.

Board of Health member Susan Schewel, who is executive director of the Women's Medical Fund, an abortion access fund, said a growing number of cities and states are pushing to reinstate public funding for abortion because poor women are disproportionately affected by unintended childbearing and its negative consequences. - Marie McCullough