New Paltz Planned Parenthood closes; Seeking care will not be as simple as it once was for more than 2,000 former patients of the Chestnut Street clinic . By Samantha Minasi
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Seeing “Closed� signs outside our local businesses is a reality these days. But now, the impact is reaching crucial health care providers like Planned Parenthood of New Paltz.
T
he large, old house at 44 Chestnut St., formally home to the New Paltz location of Planned Parenthood now sits empty. The blue sign that hung in the front yard has been taken down and only the white posts stand. Beyond the creaking porch steps, there’s a sheet of paper posted on the front door, stating that the health center is now closed. The unanticipated closing in August of 2009 left New Paltz residents wondering why such a resource might have left town. With the loss of the center, which treated more than 2,000 patients as of 2008
that our town has lost such a valuable asset.” But before you blame the Planned Parenthood Federation, blame the economy. The closing is mainly due to the effects of the current recession. Tremendous drops in donations compounded with “an ever-increasing demand on safety net providers like Planned Parenthood” according to Tiffany M. Card, community affairs manager for Planned Parenthood of the Mid Hudson Valley, accounts for much of the reasoning behind the closing. This predicament is not synonymous to the reproductive health field. Many non-profit organizations are facing similar challenges in
“By consolidating our centers, we will be able to “do more with less” so that we can continue to meet the growing need, and be more accessible for our patients” —Tiffany Card, a Planned Parenthood representative
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residents and students are now being forced to seek alternative care. Many residents were initially puzzled by closing in New Paltz. Emma kershen, a fourth year human services major, said “I was very upset to see Planned Parenthood closing in New Paltz. It was such an important resource for young women, especially in a college town. It is very unfortunate
Due to the current economic crisis, many non profits like Planned Parenthood have been forced to downsize. The sudden closing of the New Paltz Planned Parenthood left many residents confused about why they left, and where to go now.
our current economy. According to Guidestar, a leading source for non-profit information; “52 percent of non-profits surveyed found a decrease in contributions” Representatives from Planned Parenthood of the Mid Hudson Valley (PPMHV) had been assessing the situation of part time care centers like the center in New Paltz for the past year. After conducting surveys and evaluating feedback from patients, PPMHV decided that closing some part time care locations, like the one in New Paltz would allow for them to offer more extensive services in more populated areas. Card, of Planned Parenthood explains; “We believe that the best way to serve our patients is to have full-time centers located in densely populated areas and in the communities of greatest need. That is why we made the decision to consolidate our 11 health centers into larger, more modern, more secure facilities, and on Aug. 1, we closed our part-time health center in New Paltz as part of this consolidation” The downsizing of smaller centers will also allow for extended office hours at centers in surrounding areas like Kingston and Poughkeepsie. These facilities are now open six days a week, including evenings and every Saturday, in addition to new “walk-in” hours, when patients can be seen without an appointment. Card says, “By consolidating our centers, we will be able to “do more with less” so that we can continue to meet the growing need, and be more accessible for our patients who have often been frustrated by the inconvenience of parttime hours.” However, in a community where so many residents walk, or bike to their desired destinations, acquiring things like birth control, emergency contraceptive, counseling and testing will not be as easy as strolling down to Chestnut Street anymore. Students and residents of New Paltz who plan on sticking with Planned Parenthood for care will now have to travel an average of 30 minutes to one of the other various Hudson Valley locations. Some of the closest locations include; New Windsor, Goshen, Newburgh, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Middletown. However getting there this is not as easy as it seems. With no train, the Ulster County Area Transit, a bus with limited availability and scheduling is the only form of public transportation available to most of these locations from New
Photo courtasy of Tressugar.com Tiffany M. Card of Planned Parenthood says “Our patients’ well-being is always our top priority, and Planned Parenthood remains fully committed to keeping quality reproductive health care accessible throughout our service area.” Planned Parenthood is often under scrutiny by the public, residents should be aware that the closing of our center was with good intent.
Paltz. And taxis will cost an average minimum of $15 dollars. This is precisely the problem the closure poses for many residents and students. In addition to travel time, many of New Paltz’s pedestrian oriented patients will now have to pay for means of travel, in addition to paying for care. Tina, a SUNY New Paltz student, and former patient of the center explains some of the resulting obstacles she faced after the closing. “After Planned Parenthood closed, I found a doctor in Rhinebeck, it’s so inconvenient! I have use half my day just to go there, and pay $15 dollars for co-pay. I also had to wait five months for my first appointment.” For those who are not able to travel to alternate
“It was such an important resource for young women, especially in a college town.” — Emma Kershen, a student
Planned Parenthood locations, there are still options in town where people in need can seek care and advise. The Pregnancy Support Center of Ulster County, on Main St. offers a variety of free services. The Student Health Center, on campus at SUNY New Paltz also offers services to students in need.
Where to turn now... If you’re sticking with Planned Parenthood, this website lists other nearby locations, and their services plannedparenthood.org/healthcenter/findCenter.asp
The Pregnancy Support Center of Ulster County 246 Main St. Suite 9 New Paltz nppsc.org/ The Student Health Center at SUNY New Paltz newpaltz.edu/healthcenter
Ways to get there... The Ulster County Area Transit co.ulster.ny.us/ucat/schedule.html New Paltz Taxi Inc 139 Main St, New Paltz 845 255-1550