Medicaid Family Planning Coverage

In the next few weeks, Congress will be making crucial decisions regarding the economic recovery package.  During this economic crisis, the health care safety net is more important than ever, as more and more people are turning to safety net providers for basic health services, including family planning and other reproductive health care.

We need you to tell your Member of Congress that the economic recovery package must invest in the health care safety net and expand eligibility for Medicaid-funded family planning services.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please include Medicaid family planning coverage in economic stimulus package

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

In the coming weeks, Congress will be making crucial decisions regarding the economic recovery package. During this economic crisis, the health care safety net is more important than ever, as more and more people are turning to safety net providers for basic health services, including family planning and other reproductive health care.

It is critical that the economic recovery package invest in the health care safety net and expand eligibility for Medicaid-funded family planning services. This will allow states like Ohio to expand Medicaid eligibility without having to go through the time-consuming waiver process.

Medicaid is the largest source of public funding for family planning, accounting for over 70% of public expenditures. Expanded Medicaid eligibility for family planning services in states with waivers has helped both patients and providers, allowing many of those states to better leverage their Title X dollars and expand health center hours, serve more patients and reach out to new populations.

Expanding Medicaid coverage for family planning services is not only a cost-effective, common-sense step to improve the health of low-income and uninsured women and build a stronger society; it is also an effective and efficient way to stimulate the economy.

Please include this important provision in the economic stimulus package. The millions of low-income and uninsured Americans in need of basic, vital health care services can't afford to have us miss this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 15, 2009


Background Information

In the next few weeks, Congress will be making crucial decisions regarding the economic recovery package.  During this economic crisis, the health care safety net is more important than ever, as more and more people are turning to safety net providers for basic health services, including family planning and other reproductive health care.

We need you to tell your Member of Congress that the economic recovery package must invest in the health care safety net and expand eligibility for Medicaid-funded family planning services.

As you know, Medicaid is the largest source of public funding for family planning, accounting for over 70% of public expenditures.  Expanded Medicaid eligibility for family planning services in states with waivers has helped both patients and providers, allowing many of those states to better leverage their Title X dollars and expand health center hours, serve more patients and reach out to new populations.

Expanding Medicaid coverage for family planning services is not only a cost-effective, common-sense step to improve the health of low-income and uninsured women and build a stronger society: it is also an effective and efficient way to stimulate the economy.