Christie says that many tough choices were made in putting the state budget together, and that women's health services are still available. But women's health advocates see the cuts as a setback for New Jersey.
Clare Coleman, president and chief executive officer of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, said no other governor has targeted family planning in this way.
"New Jersey has that reputation for being more progressive, and I think for that reason it's been terribly surprising to the service providers in the state, because they feel like they have proven their programs are cost-effective and good for public health," she said.
FamCare Inc. plans to close centers in Millville and Vineland, reduce operations in Bridgeton from three days a week to one, and end services at Rowan University.
The region it serves has high rates of cervical and breast cancer, teen pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to many migrant workers with no health coverage, noted Marilyn Lindenmuth, director of health services.
"We're so rural," she said. "Our family incomes are very low. They don't have health insurance."
With public transportation also limited, "most will probably go nowhere - they probably will not get health care at all," said Lindenmuth.
Michele Jaker, executive director of the Family Planning Association of New Jersey, estimated 100 layoffs will take place statewide.
New Jersey's family planning centers last year provided reproductive and preventive health care to 126,903 women and 9,461 men, most of them without health insurance, according to the Family Planning Association of New Jersey.
