By Deb Bunn, Director of Family Planning. March 9, 2011
One of the first actions taken by the newly elected Congress is nothing short of an attack on the health of millions of low-income women and families across the United States, and thousands in Nebraska. The continuing resolution passed by the House proposes to eliminate funding for the Title X Family Planning program entirely. Supporters of this action claim that this step will save $317,491,000 nationally - but every dollar invested in the Title X Program actually saves $3.74 in future Medicaid-related costs. The elimination of Title X services would lead to a decline in the health and well-being of low-income women, and would result in more unintended pregnancies, as well as higher costs associated with undiagnosed breast and cervical cancer, complications caused by untreated sexually transmitted diseases, and an increase in the number of pre-term births and low birth weight infants.
Northeast Nebraska Family Health Services provided services to nearly 2,500 individuals in 2010. These services include breast and cervical cancer screening, annual exams, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, pregnancy testing and counseling, contraceptive supplies, cholesterol screening, diabetes screening, health education, and referrals to other community health and social service providers.
Poverty and lack of health insurance are serious barriers to those receiving reproductive health services; of the clients that we serve, 93 percent are considered low income and most are uninsured. If Title X is eliminated, these women would have no further access to health screenings or contraceptives.
The anti-abortion folks have dragged the Title X Program into the abortion debate, and it really does not belong there. Title X funds are not, and never have been, used to provide abortion services. If the unstated goal of Congress is to take away what little power our low-income women have to control their lives, including when and if to have children, then I say "Shame on you" to our representatives.
I urge anyone who believes that all women should have access to quality health care, regardless of their income, to contact your Senators and Representative to urge them to support of the Title X Program.
