TX Women's Healthcare Coalition and HFA: Working for Access  

The Texas legislative session is well under way, and Healthy Futures of Texas is leading both our local Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) coalition and a NEW statewide coalition, the Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition (TWHC). 

TWHC is 31 health, policy, and faith organizations working together to improve the health and well-being of women, babies, and families by ensuring access to preventive care for all Texas women.  The list of TWHC members is impressive and includes Texas Medical Association, Texas Nurses Association, Texas Hospital Association, Texas Association of Community Health Centers, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Texans Care for Children, and Texas Council on Family Violence.

Please read TWHC's issue brief, Texas Women's Healthcare in Crisis, for the full story of the devastating 2011 cuts to women's preventive healthcare and the importance of restoring access.   Please see also TWHC's 1-page summary and mythbuster fact sheets.  

Last fall, HFA joined as a member of TWHC.  HFA , with over 400 members from in and around San Antonio, brings together "pro-life" and "pro-choice" individuals to work together on prevention of unplanned and teen pregnancy.  As a member of TWHC, HFA will participate in Women's Healthcare Advocacy Day on March 20.   

HFA members and friends are invited to the next HFA meeting on Friday, Feb. 22, (11:30 am to 1 pm) to discuss and prepare for the Advocacy Day.  Please register, so that we can have a light lunch available for you!

Saying Good-Bye to Richard Alvarado

Healthy Futures of Texas mourns the passing of Richard Alvarado, our board member and dear friend.  A consultant and mentor to many non-profit organizations, Richard joined the Healthy Futures board in 2009 and served as its Chair in 2010.  Richard was a great friend and fierce advocate for the community, serving at United Ways of both El Paso and San Antonio.  Our hearts go out to his family. 

To honor Richard and to continue his legacy, Healthy Futures of Texas has instituted the Richard C. Alvarado Community Service Award, which we will be awarded each year at our Annual Luncheon. 

Donations in Richard's memory can be made to Healthy Futures of Texas (2300 W. Commerce St. #203, San Antonio, TX 78207) or to the ACLU of Texas http://www.aclutx.org/.

Hispanic Birthrates Down; Access still an Issue

Birthrates among American women are declining, hitting an all-time low in 2011 with 63 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44.  The decline was most dramatic among Mexican-American women and those who immigrated from Mexico.

Multiple factors that have contributed to the lower birthrates.   The recession is thought to play a large role, since Latinas suffered a larger decline in income than other population groups 2005 -2009.  Additionally, changes in attitudes about large families and contraception are likely factors. An important influence has been access to information about contraception and women's health. 

However, the U.S. still has a long way to go to make long lasting contraception truly accessible and affordable.  Susan Sualny tells of young Latinas setting their sites on smaller families than their parents had.  She describes a young woman whose first choice of contraception was the IUD, but who was unable to afford the up-front costs. 

Reducing the barriers to long-lasting birth control like IUDs and implants has been shown in a landmark 2012 study to dramatically reduce unplanned pregnancy, teen pregnancy, and abortion.  Both cost and information are common barriers that women face.

Save the Date: March 20 Advocacy Day

As the Texas Legislature meets in Austin, it will be important for advocates to make their voices heard.  This year, the Healthy Futures Alliance (HFA) is participating as a member of the new Texas Women's Healthcare Coalition in a Women's Healthcare Advocacy Day, Wednesday, March 20 at the State Capitol in Austin.

HFA members and friends who would like to join us are welcome!  Advocates will meet at 10 AM at the Texas Medical Association (TMA) auditorium for orientation and briefing, then  visit their legislators and de-brief at the end of the day.  HFA plans to provide transportation between San Antonio and the Capitol for participants.  

Please REGISTER to join us on March 20.