|  | Healthcare Industry | Healthcare Management

Funding for Family Planning Clinics

Family planning clinics to provide contraception, sexually transmitted disease testing and education, and counseling services can be difficult to start and maintain due to funding issues. Many patients are low-income individuals without health insurance who would not be able to afford these types of services if not for public clinics. Federal and state funding for family planning clinics helps them stay in business.

  1. Federal Funding

    • The Title X Family Planning program enacted in 1970 is a federal grant program to help family planning clinics provide contraception and preventive health care to the public, especially low-income individuals. In 2007, Title X funding distributed $283 million dollars to family planning clinics throughout the United States. If you are trying to start or maintain a family planning clinic, contact the Regional Program Consultant in your area for information on how to apply for grant money for your clinic. Other federal grants for family planning clinics include the maternal and child health block grant, the social services block grant and grants through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

    Medicaid

    • Medicaid provides coverage for family planning services and other health services to low-income individuals and families. The federal government reimburses individual states for family planning services for Medicaid recipients at a rate of 90 percent. Some states receive Medicaid waivers, which allow them to provide more contraceptive services than what the standard Medicaid policies and provisions allow. Check the Medicaid laws in your state to determine how to apply to receive reimbursement for Medicaid patients from the federal government.

    State Funding

    • State governments provide funding for family planning clinics to relieve some of the financial burden on clinics that Title X funds and Medicaid do not cover. State governments also provide funding for family planning clinics to treat patients who are not eligible for other federally funded programs, such as immigrants who are ineligible for federal Medicaid. Check your state's government health website for information on state grants and other funding sources that your family planning clinic or your patients may qualify to receive.

    Other Agencies and Charities

    • Other agencies and charities often provide funding and financial assistance to family planning clinics and needy patients. USAID is a non-profit organization that provides funding for family planning, maternal health and HIV/AIDS research and care in more than 65 countries. Though many of USAID's funding efforts are directed to countries outside the United States, you can visit its website at usaid.gov for information on funds and grants you can apply for to help fund your clinic. Check local churches and faith-based organizations and charities, such as the Salvation Army, to see if they provide assistance to family planning clinics in your area.

Healthcare Management - Related Articles