Women Taking Action for Reproductive Health
Poll: 4 in 10 Taking Action
Nearly a third (31%) of American women believe that there is "a wide-scale effort to limit women's reproductive health choices and services," including family planning and contraception, a recent Kaiser Health Tracking Poll finds. More than 4 in 10 (42%) report that they took some action, such as trying to convince friends or family, donating money, or contacting elected officials.
Such a widespread response is impressive. Many women and men are concerned about recent controversies about health insurance coverage of birth control and about states' efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.
Texas Concerns
While we do not have a state-by-state breakdown, it seems likely that Texas women would have similar or even higher levels of concern. With the 2011 Legislature's gutting of the Department of State Health Services' Family Planning program for low-income women, coupled with the current threats to the Women's Health Program, Texas is on the "cutting edge" of defunding preventive care and decreasing access to birth control. Women's Healthcare access is in a crisis in many of our communities.
Ob-Gyns Speak Out
In a bold move, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) took a stand for women and family planning. "The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) firmly believes that access to family planning counseling and to the full array of FDA-approved contraceptives is a basic and essential component of preventive health care for women," writes Dr. James Breeden, ACOG president in a letter to the editor of the New York Times.
Take Action; Join HFA!
It is important for both women and men to convert their concern into action. In Texas, action is needed to restore Family Planning funding and support the Women's Health Program. You can take action by joining the Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA)!
HFA is a community coalition dedicated to reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio. HFA advocates for improved policies at the state and local level. If you are committed to science-based approaches, including access to preventive care and birth control, visit the HFA page on the Healthy Futures of Texas website for more information and to join.
Together, we can make a difference in the upcoming 2013 Texas Legislative Session!
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WHP "Affiliation" Rule's Impact
The huge negative impact of the Texas Women's Health Program (WHP) "affiliation rule" on women's healthcare access is outlined in a report from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. According to the study, exclusion of clinics affiliated with entities that provide abortion (i.e., Planned Parenthood clinics) from the WHP program may jeopardize cancer screening, family planning, and preventive care for 52,000 Texas women.
The new "affiliation" rule excludes certain providers from participating in the Texas Women's Health Program (WHP), and is based on direction from the 2011 Texas Legislature. The rule prevents any provider from participating if they are affiliated with an entity that performs abortions. The constitutionality of this affiliation regulation is currently being litigated in federal court.
The George Washington University study found that Planned Parenthood clinics have been "by far the dominant source of care" under WHP. In fiscal year 2010, nearly half (49%) of all WHP financed care was provided by Planned Parenthood clinics, serving 51,953 WHP clients. In the same year, the state's community health centers served only about 10,000 WHP clients.
While Texas officials have stated that there are plenty of WHP providers to serve the women seen by Planned Parenthood. However, the George Washington University study, as well as the feedback from other providers, cast doubt that there are enough actively participating providers to meet the need. There is concern that community health centers will not be able to absorb so many clients. In addition, many non-Planned Parenthood family planning providers (none of whom perform abortions) have closed or cut back services due to DSHS Family Planning budget cuts.
The new WHP draft rules were presented to the State Health Services Council on June 14. There will be a chance for public comment in the 30 days after they are published in the Texas Register.
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Long Acting Methods More Effective
Women on the pill are 20 times more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy as women using long-acting methods such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants (Implanon® or Nexplanon®).
A new study finds that women using the birth control pill for contraception have 20 times the rate of unplanned pregnancy as women using long-acting methods. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, included 7,500 women who did not want to be pregnant within the next year. Among women using the pill, patch or ring there was a pregnancy rate of 4.5 per 100 women-years, compared to just 0.27 among women using intrauterine devices (IUDs) or implants.
The pill is still the most widely used reversible birth control method. However, unlike the pill, which a woman has to remember to take every day, long acting birth control is inserted by a clinician and does not require daily action. A woman can "forget about" long-acting reversible contraceptives ("LARCs") while they continue to prevent pregnancy, making these methods highly effective.
The up-front costs of LARCs can be high (hundreds of dollars) and may not be covered by health insurance. However, because these methods last for years (up to 5 to 10 years for IUDs; up to 3 years for implants), they are cost-effective. When the costs are spread over the years they are used, LARCs are often more cost-effective than pills.
In a program where they are given information, access, and a choice, 75% of women choose a LARC for their contraception.
More than two-thirds of pregnancies among unmarried women aged 20-29 are unplanned. These startling statistics make clear the importance of improving women's access to the most effective contraception options.
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Healthy Futures of Texas is committed to reducing teen and unplanned pregnancy in San Antonio
and Texas by providing and promoting science-based and culturally appropriate approaches.
We are working toward a community where every young person is able to reach their potential, and
every child is wanted, loved, and cared for.
2300 W. Commerce, Ste. 203
San Antonio, Texas, 78207
210.223.4589
info@healthyfuturestx.org
www.HealthyFuturesTX.org
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