Support SCHIP Amendment

Support Family Planning for Montana Women

Medicaid in Montana currently provides health coverage for Montanans who are at about 80% of the federal poverty level, or with incomes of $923/month for a family of 2.

When a woman becomes pregnant, however, she is eligible for Medicaid coverage during her pregnancy if she is at 133% of poverty, or about $1517/month for a family of 2.

An amendment to Senate Bill 1224 currently being considered in Washington D.C. would allow women seeking to avoid unintended pregnancy to access family planning services at the 133% level rather than the current 80% level, thus allowing thousands more Montana women to seek healthcare.

Please contact Senator Max Baucus, a key decision-maker in this amendment, to urge his support! You can call his office or send an email by filling in the information to the right:

Senator Baucus' office in D.C.: (800) 332-6106

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please Support Medicaid's Family Planning Services in SCHIP

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

urge you to please expand Medicaid to offer family planning to women at a higher poverty threshold when the Senate considers the SCHIP health insurance bill.

As you know, access to contraception helps to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. The United States currently has the highest unintended pregnancy rate among developed countries. By some estimates, Montana Medicaid could serve an additional 15,400 women with this expansion, averting 2,200 unintended pregnancies.

This provision would also save state and federal money. After considering the cost of implementation, Montana would STILL be saving $2.8 million each year.

Please vote for common-sense prevention measures that help expand women's access to health care.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 27, 2007

Background Information

Medicaid in Montana currently provides health coverage for Montanans who are at 80% of the federal poverty level. This is about $923/month for a family of 2.

When a woman becomes pregnant, however, she is eligible for Medicaid coverage during her pregnancy if she is at 133% of poverty, or about $1517/month for a family of 2

This creates a huge disparity: Montana women seeking family planning services in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy are served only at the 80% level yet when they become pregnant they are served at 133% of poverty. The amendment to the SCHIP bill would allow family planning services to be offered to women with incomes at 133% of poverty, allowing thousands more women to access basic healthcare.