NJ Dems again seek $7 million for women’s health clinics

New Jersey Democrats are trying again to restore more than $7 million in funding for health centers in the Garden State that serve low- and moderate-income women and their children.

Gov. Chris Christie has repeatedly vetoed attempts to provide the funding to support the centers offering services such as cancer screenings and birth control.

Women in urban areas have problems accessing the health care they need, said Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin.

“You go to practically any street corner, any block, and you’ll find plenty of women that will say that they have an issue with really being provided with some of the services as a woman that they need and being paid for,” said Marin, D-Essex.

But Republican Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon said women can get that care at other health care facilities.

“This is a blatant political move, which we’ve proven now year after year,” said O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth. “It’s just another way to beat the governor up about his supposed lack of care for women and nothing could be further from the truth.”

That comment drew a swift response from Assembly Budget Committee chairman Gary Schaer.

“Many of us would argue that we don’t need something else to beat thegovernor up with,” observed Schaer, D-Passaic. “He’s done a phenomenal job of providing his own target.”

Democrats say restoring the funding would help provide life-saving preventive care, as well as saving public money that would otherwise be spent treating women in hospital emergency rooms.