One of Gov. Phil Murphy’s first acts in office in 2018 was to restore $7.5 million for family planning and women’s health clinics that his predecessor had eliminated, forcing six clinics to close.
In his final state budget speech Tuesday, Murphy announced he wants to raise the funding level to $52 million. And it would include an additional $2 million in the coming year to help recruit obstetricians, gynecologists and other providers of women’s health care.
The abortion bans and restrictions in the midwestern and southern states are driving some medical providers out, the Democratic governor said. If approved by the Democratic-controlled New Jersey Legislature, this money would be used to defray moving costs and loan forgiveness programs for doctors and nurse practitioners who are willing to relocate to the Garden State.