Posted by (+1) 12 years ago
As a means of getting information out I am posting on this site. The legislative session is going strong and the House has presented HB 2 to the Senate with major cuts to education, public health and corrections. The Senate Finance Committee heard testimony late into Friday night and rejected any amendments to add some funding back to the budget. I am advocating for Title X or Family Planning funding. Several years ago legislators approved some State General Funds to help Title X clinics purchase contraceptives when the cost of those skyrocketed to the point that clinics could not afford them. The proposed HB would eliminate that funding but more importantly the Montana House of Representatives has decided to deny Montana Federal Title X funds, the core of our programs. Title X funds are Federal funds and COST MONTANA NOTHING. Custer County Public Health & Family Planning is one of 27 sites throughout Montana. If these funds are not restored we will no longer be able to provide these services in our current capacity and likely not at all as ½ of our budget is dependent on these funds. Family Planning is a safety net that offers low to no cost contraceptives to women who may not afford them otherwise. Family Planning also provides cervical cancer screens, clinical breast exams, general physical exams, STD/HIV testing and treatment and links to other resources and programs. These services are provided to men, women and teens. A huge piece of Title X is the education that we provide each and every person including how to perform a breast self exam/testicular self exam, diet/exercise, STD and HIV prevention, contraceptive options, preconception counseling, unbiased pregnancy options counseling and general health counseling . The teens that we serve get all of the same education plus encouraging family involvement in their decision making, abstinence as the only 100% effective method of birth control, how to avoid sexual coercion, how to protect themselves from STD's and HIV and the role that alcohol/drugs play in their sexual health and that services are confidential for all. Title X funds are used for the above purposes only in Montana and please note abortion services are not listed. Abortion services with Family Planning (Title X) funding is illegal. For more information on how important Family Planning is in Montana there is an Annual Report that goes into more detail located at: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/Women-Health/WMHSHomePage.shtml
Essentially, denying Montana Title X funds will cost everyone more money as unintended pregnancies will rise, teen pregnancies will rise and Medicaid costs will rise. The average cost of one unintended pregnancy to Medicaid is over $12,000. The average cost of a year's worth of reproductive health and contraceptives is $266.
Denying Title X funds saves no one money and directly attacks our most vulnerable population - low income women. I urge people to contact our legislators regarding HB 2 currently in the Senate:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/About-the-Legislature/Lawmaking-Process/contact-legislators.asp
Essentially, denying Montana Title X funds will cost everyone more money as unintended pregnancies will rise, teen pregnancies will rise and Medicaid costs will rise. The average cost of one unintended pregnancy to Medicaid is over $12,000. The average cost of a year's worth of reproductive health and contraceptives is $266.
Denying Title X funds saves no one money and directly attacks our most vulnerable population - low income women. I urge people to contact our legislators regarding HB 2 currently in the Senate:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/About-the-Legislature/Lawmaking-Process/contact-legislators.asp