Committee on Public Health and Human Services 3-02-2026

The Philadelphia City Council's Committee on Public Health and Human Services held a comprehensive public hearing on March 2, 2026, to examine the current state of reproductive health care in the city amidst a challenging federal landscape. The meeting featured extensive testimony from public health officials, healthcare providers, legal experts, and community advocates who highlighted critical issues such as funding cuts to essential services like Planned Parenthood and the Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center (PARC), disparities in maternal health outcomes especially among Black women, and the need for expanded support services including child care, mental health, and lactation support. The discussion emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding reproductive health infrastructure, addressing systemic inequities, and exploring innovative solutions like guaranteed income programs to improve maternal and infant health. The committee expressed commitment to ongoing dialogue and follow-up actions to strengthen Philadelphia's reproductive health safety net and ensure equitable access to care.