In Texas, 2.5 million women need contraceptive services and supplies. That is more than half of the 4.7 women of childbearing age (15-44). Over half of the women needing contraception have incomes below 250 percent of the federal poverty level, 18 percent have incomes below the federal poverty level (fpl) and 33 percent of these women are uninsured, making it difficult to afford the necessary services. In 2005, the Texas legislature took an important step towards improving access to contraception; they passed legislation directing the Department of State Health Services to apply for a Medicaid Family Planning Waiver. The Waiver offers limited, Medicaid-paid family planning benefits to women ages 18-44 with net incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

While applying for the waiver was an enormous step, the success of the waiver depends on critical implementation issues. PRC invited managers of Medicaid family planning programs, experienced with waivers in their states, to speak to an audience of Texas policy makers and practitioners. The meeting provided policymakers and practitioners the opportunity to learn for the successes and failures of other states as they move forward with their own waiver.

Austin, TX 
October 24, 2006
WELCOME: Wayne Holtzman, Population Resource Center, Board Member

PANELISTS:
Laurie Weaver, Chief, California Office of Family Planning, Maternal/Child/Adolescent Health
Annie Vosel, Alabama Plan First Manager, Alabama Department of Public Health
Melanie Bush, Senior Policy Analyst for Medicaid & CHIP, Texas Health & Human Services

CO-SPONSORS: Women’s Health and Family Planning Association of Texas
ATTENDEES: ( 65 ) Partial List
•Community Health Centers
•Public health districts
•Planned Parenthood Chapters
•Texas Association Concerned with School Age Parenthood
•Texas Department of State Health Services
•Texas Health and Human Services Commission
•Universities: Baylor, UTMB, UTSW

DSHS Family Planning Services and the Women’s Health Program

Women’s Health Program: Women’s Health and Family Planning Association of Texas

Accomplishments, Challenges, and Opportunities