Impact of the Family Planning Cuts: Watch Texas Week Tonight!

Tonight on Texas Week with Rick Casey on KLRN-TV, the topic will be the huge cuts to the Texas Family Planning program, and the effects of these cuts on Bexar County.  Healthy Futures of Texas president, Dr. Janet Realini, will appear, along with Theresa De La Haya, Senior Vice President of University Health System.  The conversation will explore how the funding decision of the Texas Legislature is being felt in our community.

On January 19, the Texas Department of State Health Services announced the sharply curtailed list of agencies receiving Family Planning funding for the next year. The number of organizations funded fell from 78 in 2010 to 41 currently. The total amount to cover more than 14 months (January 15, 2012 through March 31, 2013) is $12.4 million. This represents a cut of 79% compared to the $48.9 million for fiscal year 2010. Only about one-fifth of the funding remains for this critical program.

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Family Planning program provides checkups, screenings, and birth control (not abortion) for low-income Texans. Funded through a patchwork of federal funds, this program has saved Texas money by reducing Medicaid costs to care for unplanned pregnancies. Family planning also improves maternal and child health and prevents abortions.

Even at its previous "full" level of funding, the Family Planning program was able to serve fewer than 20% of women in need. The 2011 Texas Legislature slashed funding for this program from $111.5 million to $37.9 for the 2012-2013 biennium. Many clinics no longer receive funds from this program, including Planned Parenthood and many small community clinics.

Bexar County providers saw deep cuts in their family planning funding. Planned Parenthood (Family Planning Associates of San Antonio), which received $717,000 in 2010, will receive no funding. University Health System (UHS) will receive $610,500 (down from $1.77 million in 2010). CentroMed will receive $391,000 (down from $476,000).

These cuts are already being felt in our community. UHS is closing 3 clinics but is attempting to serve as many women as possible with other funding, such as CareLink or the Women's Health Program (WHP).

The situation will get even worse if WHP, the state's other program for birth control and preventive care, cannot continue. This program is due to end in March, unless the state of Texas and the federal government can find a way for the program to continue.