Scott Walker's elimination of family planning funds could jeopardize federal dollars, close clinics

from the Capital Times (Madison):



Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal to eliminate all state funding for family planning services for low-income residents could also jeopardize federal dollars for pregnancy prevention.

"We just don't know yet how that would work," says Beth Kaplan, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Health Services.

In the last two years, the state has spent $1.9 million annually on federal planning services at centers around the state. This past year, the state also distributed $1.5 million in federal family planning dollars. This federal funding is part of the $10.7 million received by the state through the federal Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, commonly referred to as the Title V program.

The federal planning dollars require a state match, but it is unclear how the state would meet that requirement given the elimination of its own funding for family planning. Moreover, there has been some uncertainty over whether the elimination of state funding for family planning would jeopardize the rest of the state's Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, says Legislative Fiscal Bureau analyst Sam Austin. Approximately $9 million funds services for children with special health care needs, provides perinatal care for women, and works to reduce infant mortality and increase immunizations among children. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_64a1c08e-4943-11e0-9cac-001cc4c03286.html