Perceptions of and preferences for federally-funded family planning clinics

Abstract

BackgroundThe Title X family planning program provides affordable access to a range of sexual and reproductive health services, with a priority for low-income people. The disproportionate burden of unintended pregnancy, breast and cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases among minority groups, teens, and young adults in the US underscore the need for affordable access to such services. However, increased access to sexual and reproductive health services, resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) create questions regarding the continued need for this program.MethodsA study was conducted to assess clients’ perceptions of Title X-funded family planning clinics and their preferences for these clinics for a range of sexual and reproductive health services. An anonymous, self-administered, paper-and-pencil survey was administered to 696 clients who received services from one of eight Title X-funded family planning clinics in Northeast Ohio.ResultsThe majority of participants stated very positive perceptions of the Title X-funded clinics; that they “Always” go to the Title X-funded clinic for birth control, STD/HIV testing, and pregnancy testing; and that the Title X-funded clinic was their regular source of health care. Females were more likely than males to prefer the Title X clinic for birth control, physical exams, pregnancy testing, and health information and more teens under the age of 18 preferred to use the Title X clinic for STD/HIV testing, physical exams, pregnancy testing, and health information.ConclusionsFindings indicate that these Title X-funded family planning clinics successfully reached populations in need of sexual and reproductive health services and suggest that these facilities can help play an important role in reducing disparities even after full implementation of the Affordable Care Act. However, more research is needed to fully quantify the need and value of Title X-funded family planning clinics and its relation to the changing health care environment in the US.

The affordable care act and family planning services: the effect of optional medicaid expansion on safety net programs

“…This supports the notion that there is a preference for Title X clinics by some users [17]. Some dependents who may not wish to bill their healthcare services to insurance because of confidentiality reasons or just simply due to care provider preferences will still seek care at Title X funded clinics.…”

“…Title X service centers are often considered a safety net care provider for millions of low income people, with the vast majority being women. Since the passage of the ACA questions continue about the necessity of the services provided by Title X funding [3, 17]. The current project helps to illustrate the importance of these programs, and how they work in conjunction with Medicaid expansion to serve an additional need beyond health insurance.…”

Title X–Funded Health Center Staff Members' Perspectives on Barriers to Insurance Use For Confidential Family Planning Services

“…The degree to which patients are aware of the role of Title X and whether they seek out Title X–funded health centers because of the program's confidentiality protections is unknown, but evidence suggests that patients who rely on these centers highly value their confidentiality protections. More than 90% of patients surveyed at eight Ohio Title X–funded health centers in 2012 rated the confidentiality protections as “great.”…”

“…More than 90% of patients surveyed at eight Ohio Title X-funded health centers in 2012 rated the confidentiality protections as "great." 6 While Title X-funded health centers serve many lowincome and uninsured patients regardless of their ability to pay, they also have a legal obligation to make "all reasonable efforts" to seek reimbursement for services to insured patients without jeopardizing patient confidentiality. 4 through the ACA marketplaces.…”

Exploring Planned Parenthood, Teen Pregnancy, and Policy—A Systematic Literature Review

“…The federal government, "zero tolerance" policy spent $1.5 billion tax dollars on abstinence-only programing and this program failed by all measures, and the U.S. continues to lead the Western world in teen pregnancy (Oglesby, 2014;Medoff, 2010;Richards, 2009;Kenney, 1987). Planned Parenthood services are needed to assist teenagers with obtaining family planning services, such as oral contraceptives, sex education, and family planning (Furstenberg, 1991(Furstenberg, , 1897Herz, Olson, & Reis, 1988;House & Goldsmith, 1972;Goldsmith, 1969).…”