Family Planning Cooperative Purchasing Program
A non-profit purchasing collaborative for health care & community organizations
August 14, 2008
Teens See Abstinence as a Step to Sexual Activity
Public Release Date: 8-August-2008
SEATTLE -- Teens don't see "abstinence" and "having sex" as polar opposites, researchers here said.
Rather, they may perceive abstinence to be a developmentally appropriate step in becoming sexually active, Tatiana Masters, M.S.W., a doctoral candidate at the University of Washington, and colleagues reported in the June issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Continue reading "Teens See Abstinence as a Step to Sexual Activity "
August 04, 2008
Lawsuit Calls for Removal of Misleading Language About Parental Notification Measure From Voter Guide
Public Release Date: 4-August-2008
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and other groups on Friday filed a lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court that asks the California secretary of state to remove misleading language about a parental notification ballot initiative from the official voter guide, the Los Angeles Times reports.
July 31, 2008
HIV/AIDS in America Called 'Black Disease'
Public Release Date: 30-July-2008
LOS ANGELES -- If Blacks in America made up a separate country, the number of people living with HIV would rank 16th in the world, according to the Black AIDS Institute, an advocacy group here.
In a report that dramatized some well-known statistics, the institute said that mainly because of the HIV epidemic the hypothetical Black America would be below 104 other countries in life expectancy.
Continue reading "HIV/AIDS in America Called 'Black Disease' "
July 28, 2008
Poll Finds 48% Support for, 39% Opposition to California Parental Notification Ballot Initiative
Public Release Date: 25-July-2008
About 48% of likely California voters said they support an initiative on the state's Nov. 4 ballot that would require parental notification before minors could receive abortions, while 39% of likely voters said they oppose it, according to a Field Poll released earlier this week, the Contra Costa Times reports. The poll was conducted among 672 likely voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6 percentage points (Harmon, Contra Costa Times, 7/22).
July 23, 2008
104 Reps. Send Letter Asking Bush To Halt Potential Rule That Could Limit Birth Control Access
Public Release Date: 23-July-2008
One-hundred four House members on Monday sent a letter to President Bush calling on him to "halt all action" on a proposed regulation being developed by the Bush administration that allegedly seeks to allow medical providers to refuse patients access to commonly used contraceptive methods as a matter of conscience on the grounds that they are a form of abortion, ABC News reports. The letter says the draft regulation's "definitions are so broad as to go far beyond abortion politics and threaten virtually any law or policy designed to protect women's access to safe and effective birth control" (Jaffe, ABC News, 7/21).
July 16, 2008
Legislators, Advocates Respond To Potential Federal Rule That Could Limit Birth Control Access
Public Release Date: 16-July-2008
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and several family planning advocates on Tuesday responded to a regulation being developed by the Bush administration that would effectively allow abortion to be defined to include commonly used contraceptive methods and would protect the rights of medical providers who refused to offer them, Reuters reports.
Bush Administration Developing Rule That Could Limit Access to Birth Control
Public Release Date: 15-July-2008
The Bush administration is developing a regulation that would define abortion as "any of the various procedures -- including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action -- that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation," the New York Times reports. The draft proposal leaked to the Times also would require all recipients of aid from HHS to certify they will not refuse to hire health care workers who object to abortion and certain types of birth control.
Continue reading "Bush Administration Developing Rule That Could Limit Access to Birth Control "
Congress Overrides Bush Veto of Medicare Bill
Public Release Date: 15-July-2008
WASHINGTON -- The ink was barely dry on President Bush's veto of the bill that blocked a scheduled 10.6% cut in Medicare payments to physicians when the House of Representatives voted 383-41 to override it. The Senate followed suit soon after, by a vote of 70-26.
Continue reading "Congress Overrides Bush Veto of Medicare Bill "
July 10, 2008
Senate Votes to Eliminate 10.6% Medicare Pay Cut to Physicians
Public Release Date: 9-July-2008
WASHINGTON -- The Senate today quashed a 10.6% Medicare pay cut to doctors, with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) making an unexpected and dramatic appearance to add his aye to a 69-30 veto-proof margin.
Continue reading "Senate Votes to Eliminate 10.6% Medicare Pay Cut to Physicians "
July 07, 2008
More States Opting Out of Title V Abstinence-Only Education Funding, the AP/Google.com Reports
Public Release Date: 25-June-2008
Many states are opting out of funding from the federal Title V abstinence education program amidst "doubts that the program works" and "frustrat[ion] by chronic uncertainty that Congress will continue to fund the program," the AP/Google.com reports. According to the AP/Google.com, although a federal tally shows that 28 states are still participating in the program, participation in the program is down 40% over the past two years. Arizona and Iowa have said they will no longer accept the funding as of Oct. 1.
July 01, 2008
Medicare Puts Brief Hold on All Payments to Physicians
Public Release Date: 30-June-2008
WASHINGTON -- Medicare officials said today that the agency will not process any payments to physicians until July 15 at the earliest, leaving the congressionally mandated 10.6% reimbursement reduction in limbo.
Continue reading "Medicare Puts Brief Hold on All Payments to Physicians "
June 30, 2008
New York Teens Lobby State Lawmakers to Pass Comprehensive Sex Education Bill
Public Release Date: 24-June-2008
Teenagers throughout New York state recently urged State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R) and other senators to pass the Healthy Teens Act, which would make funding available for schools to provide comprehensive sex education, Long Island Newsday reports.
Intensive lobbying efforts to bring the legislation to the Senate floor before the session ended on Monday included calls and visits to senators, phone call campaigns to residents, petitions and roadside signs.
Continue reading "New York Teens Lobby State Lawmakers to Pass Comprehensive Sex Education Bill"
June 25, 2008
New York City Health Department Approves $2M Contract To Distribute 2M Female Condoms
Public Release Date: 17-June-2008
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently approved a $2 million contract to purchase two million female condoms that will be made available in health clinics and organizations, the New York Daily News reports.
June 23, 2008
Teen Pregnancy Surge in Gloucester, Mass., Stirs Debate Over Sex Education, Contraception
Public Release Date: 23-June-2008
A surge in teen pregnancy at a high school in Gloucester, Mass., has sparked a debate over whether to provide students access to comprehensive sex education and confidential distribution of contraception, the New York Times reports (Zezima, New York Times, 6/20).
At least 17 girls at Gloucester High School are pregnant -- four times more than last year -- and nearly half the girls became pregnant after allegedly making a "pact" to become pregnant and raise the children together, TIME Magazine reports (Kingsbury, TIME Magazine, 6/18).
June 09, 2008
National Abstinence Education Association Launches Effort Aimed at Gaining Support of 1M Parents
Public Release Date: 2-June-2008
Last week, the National Abstinence Education Association launched a $1 million nationwide campaign aimed at garnering the support of one million parents to lobby schools for more abstinence-only education programs, the Washington Post reports.
June 05, 2008
Implementation of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios Laws in California is Successful, says American Society of Registered Nurses
Public Release Date: 11-May-2008
In a national online survey conducted by the American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN.org), 56% of the 761 Registered Nurses surveyed on March 26 that worked under nurse-to-patient ratios said that due to the implementation of the ratios, they had more time for breaks.
In a separate survey, 69% said they had more time for personal care of their patients.
May 30, 2008
Allocation of Desogen Distribution for 340B Agencies
We are all too familiar with the issues surrounding penny pricing of birth control. Yasmin and more recently Ortho and Depo have illustrated well the myriad of distribution problems which come with those amazing prices. This link is Schering-Plough's answer to the probability of similar distribution issues arising (we have already seen some out East) in regards to Desogen as it is now priced at a penny and will be around that price for an idefinite period of time.
Please note the letter from the Office of Pharmacy Affairs found on the 340B Prime Vendor website here.
Thanks for your time and have a Wonderful Weekend!
- louis
Louis Linsmeyer
Cooperative Manager
California Family Health Council, Inc.
May 28, 2008
House Members Introduce Resolution Asking FDA To Stop Efforts To Ban Hormone Ingredient Estriol
Public Release Date: 28-May-2008
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and eight other House members earlier this month introduced a "sense of Congress" resolution (H Con Res 342) that would ask FDA to stop its effort to ban custom-made hormones aimed at treating menopause-related symptoms that contain the ingredient estriol, the Arizona Daily Star reports.
May 22, 2008
For Clinicians: Updated Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening and Treatment
Public Release Date: 14-May-2008
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been in the news recently as new epidemiologic trends emerge:
- Certain strains of gonorrhea are showing resistance to traditional antibiotics.
- Syphilis rates are increasing and disproportionately affect African Americans and men who have sex with men.
- At least one in four teens have an STI.
CFHC has collaborated with staff at the California STD Branch at the California Department of Public Health to highlight important strategies for preventing and treating STIs as recommended by the CDC in their STD Treatment Guidelines.
Recommendations for HPV vaccination and changes in the management of abnormal Pap tests are also noted. Providers are invited to download the 2-page California STD Treatment Summary Table (PDF) and refer to the California STD Clinical Guidelines for further information on the latest recommendations for screening, testing, treatment, and partner management for STIs in California.
Written by: Ina Park M.D., M.S., Clinical STD Fellow, California Department of Public Health-STD Control Branch
Posted thanks to News & Views, a quarterly publication of the California Family Health Council, Inc.
May 21, 2008
Federal Appeals Court Declares Virginia Abortion Ban Unconstitutional
Public Release Date: 21-May-2008
On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., declared a Virginia law banning so-called "partial-birth" abortion unconstitutional, the Washington Post reports. In a 2-1 decision, the panel said the law infringed on a woman's constitutional right to abortion (Barnes, Washington Post, 5/21).
Continue reading "Federal Appeals Court Declares Virginia Abortion Ban Unconstitutional"
August 13, 2007
Colorado, Illinois, Maryland Take Action on Abortion, EC, Sex Education Measures
Public Release Date: 8-August-2007
The following highlights recent state actions on legislation related to abortion, emergency contraction and sex education.
Continue reading "Colorado, Illinois, Maryland Take Action on Abortion, EC, Sex Education Measures "
August 08, 2007
House Passes Children's Health Insurance Bill That Would Extend Abstinence Education Program for Two Years
Public Release Date: 2-August-2007
The House on Wednesday voted 225-204 to approve a bill (HR 3162) that would reauthorize and expand SCHIP and also make revisions to Medicare, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 8/2). The bill also would extend a federal abstinence education program for two years and fund it at $50 million annually, CQ Today reports.
August 07, 2007
National Quality Agenda, Payment Reform, Care Integration Keys to Improving Quality, Patient Safety
Public Release Date: 30-July-2007
Government support for reforms deemed critical; health information technology, public quality reporting, pay for performance seen as effective strategies
New York City — As health care quality and patient safety concerns rise, the latest Commonwealth Fund Health Care Opinion Leaders survey finds leaders united behind several key reform measures:
- more than half (56%) support the creation of a new public-private entity to coordinate quality efforts and form a national quality agenda;
- 95% believe that fundamental payment reform is needed; and
- three-fourths (73%) say that greater organization and integration of provider care is necessary for improved quality and efficiency.
August 01, 2007
Medi-Cal Payments Frozen Until CA Budget Agreement is Reached
Public Policy Alert: 1-August-2007
URGE YOUR STATE SENATOR TO FINALIZE THE BUDGET SO OUR CLINICS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FUNDING!
CFHC feels it imperative to let you know what fiscal impact the current budget stalemate may have on your clinic and community.
Continue reading "Medi-Cal Payments Frozen Until CA Budget Agreement is Reached"
July 26, 2007
Gardasil Adopted by Vaccines for Children Program's 55 Immunization Projects, Merck Announces
Public Release Date: 18-July-2007
Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil has been adopted by all 55 of CDC's Vaccines for Children Program immunization projects, the company announced Monday, Reuters reports (Krawskopf, Reuters, 7/16). VFC provides no-cost immunizations to children ages nine to 18 covered by Medicaid, Alaska Native and American Indian children, and some uninsured and underinsured children (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/8).
July 23, 2007
House Passes Spending Bill That Increases Abstinence Education, Family Planning Program Funding, Bans Funding for Mandated HPV Vaccination
Public Release Date: 20-July-2007
The House on Thursday voted 276-140 to approve a $152 billion fiscal year 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill (HR 3043), which includes increases in funding for HHS' Community-Based Abstinence Education Program and for the Title X family planning program, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Taylor, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/19).
July 19, 2007
Pence Amendment Threatens Access to Family Planning Services – Action Needed Today!
Public Policy Alert: 19-July-2007
Today, Representative Mike Pence (R- IN) plans to offer an amendment that would deny Title X funding to Planned Parenthood clinics. This would be an amendment to the House Labor/HHS Appropriations bill that also gives Title X a historic $28 million increase.
July 18, 2007
Editorials, Opinion Pieces Address Recent Congressional Testimony of Former Surgeon General Carmona
Public Release Date: 18-July-2007
Several newspapers recently published editorials and opinion pieces looking at former Surgeon General Richard Carmona's testimony last week at a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing. Carmona at the hearing said the Bush administration routinely blocked him from speaking out or issuing reports on human embryonic stem cell research, abstinence-only sex education, emergency contraception and other sensitive public health issues.
He also said the administration often edited his speeches for politically controversial content and encouraged him to attend internal political meetings (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/16). Summaries appear below.
July 12, 2007
Requiring HPV Vaccination for School-Age Girls for Upcoming School Year 'Too Soon,' Researcher Says
Public Release Date: 22-June-2007
It is premature to require middle-school age girls to receive Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil for the upcoming school year, Doug Lowy -- head of the National Cancer Institute's Laboratory of Cellular Oncology and one of the scientists responsible for the development of the vaccine -- said on Wednesday, CQ HealthBeat reports (Bartolf, CQ HealthBeat, 6/20).
July 10, 2007
Actions Taken on Women's Health-Related Legislation, Programs in Delaware, Florida, Ohio
Public Release Date: 5-July-2007
The following highlights recent news of state and local actions on women's health-related issues.
July 03, 2007
Title V Abstinence Education Program Expires Without Reauthorization
Public Release Date: 3-July-2007
The federal Title V abstinence education program expired Saturday after the House did not reauthorize it last week, the Washington Times reports (Wetzstein, Washington Times, 6/30).
Continue reading "Title V Abstinence Education Program Expires Without Reauthorization "
June 20, 2007
Actions Taken on Women's Health-Related Legislation, Programs in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas
Public Release Date: 19-June-2007
The following highlights recent news of state and local actions on women's health-related issues.
June 19, 2007
FDA To Conduct Surveys About STI, Pregnancy Prevention Language on Condom Packaging
Public Release Date: 18-June-2007
FDA plans to survey 1,200 people in shopping malls nationwide on their understanding of a condom's efficacy in preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies based on current labeling, the agency said on Thursday in a notice on its Web site, Bloomberg/Arizona Republic reports. According to the notice, survey responses will be "considered in FDA's condom labeling recommendations to provide important risk/benefit and use information associated with condoms in easily understood language."
June 14, 2007
Mapping Our Rights
SisterSong, Ipas, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have created a brilliant interactive Flash map.
Click here to see your state's reproductive policies!
June 11, 2007
House Subcommittee Approves Funding Increases for Abstinence Education, Family Planning Programs
Public Release Date: 8-June-2007
The House Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday passed a spending bill that includes increases in funding for HHS' Community-Based Abstinence Education Program, as well as the Title X family planning program, the Washington Times reports.
June 07, 2007
House Panel Approves Bill That Would Allow Contraceptive Donations to International Groups Barred From Funding Due to Abortion Policies
Public Release Date: 6-June-2007
A House appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday approved legislation that Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said would allow the federal government to give contraceptives but not money to international groups that have been barred from receiving U.S. aid due to their abortion policies, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Abrams, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/5).
June 06, 2007
Support Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!
Public Policy Alert: 5-June-2007
Call Your State Legislator: Support the Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!
The California Legislature is currently considering the issue of licensing and certification (L&C) fee increases. As you know, any approved increase will affect all of our clinics in CA –- clinics already strapped by increasing financial obligations.
Continue reading "Support Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!"
May 29, 2007
U.S. Parents Not in Favor of HPV Vaccine Mandates
Public Release Date: 25-May-2007
While debate in several state governments continues to grow over school mandates for Gardasil - a vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for girls ages 11 to 12 that is designed to provide protection against human papillomavirus, or HPV, the virus linked to cervical cancer and genital warts - the majority of U.S. parents have already reached a decision on the issue: They do not want the vaccine to be mandated.
Continue reading "U.S. Parents Not in Favor of HPV Vaccine Mandates "
May 24, 2007
Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services!
Public Policy Alert: 22-May-2007
Call Your State Legislator: Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services in the May Budget!
As you know, family planning providers throughout California are in desperate need of an increase in Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
Continue reading "Support Increased Provider Rates for Family Planning Services!"
May 21, 2007
American College of Physicians commends introduction of Bipartisan Health CARE Act
Public Release Date: 20-May-2007
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has commended Marcy Kaptur and Steven C. LaTourette, members of Congress, for their bipartisan sponsorship of the Health Coverage, Affordability, Responsibility and Equity (CARE) Act.
The endorsement was made by ACP president David C. Dale, MD, FACP at a Capitol Hill news conference. The co-sponsors, who outlined their proposal at Wednesday's news conference, introduced their measure to coincide with ACP's annual Leadership Day on Capitol Hill. Representatives Kaptur and LaTourette, who are both from Ohio, noted that the Act is based in large part on a proposal by the American College of Physicians.
May 18, 2007
One-Third of Pregnancies in the United States are Unwanted
Public Release Date: 10-May-2007
One-third of pregnancies in the United States are unwanted, according to a new analysis released by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
That is, 2 million of the 6.4 million pregnancies in 2001 were unwanted (most recent data available). Over half (54%) of unwanted pregnancies occur to women in their twenties. And there is evidence that the rate of unwanted pregnancies may be increasing.
Continue reading "One-Third of Pregnancies in the United States are Unwanted "
May 17, 2007
AB 629 Needs Your Support!
Public Policy Alert: 16-May-2007
Assembly Bill 629, The Sexual Health Education Accountability Act, would promote healthy California communities by ensuring that local pregnancy and STD (sexually transmitted disease) prevention education programs are accurate, effective and unbiased. Introduced by Assembly Member Julia Brownley, this bill is designed to support flexible, community-based sexual health education programs while ensuring that public funds are spent responsibly in communities with the greatest needs. AB 629 sets basic, common sense guidelines for state-funded community-based sexual health education programs that are a simplified version of the existing guidelines for sexuality education in public schools.
Continue reading "AB 629 Needs Your Support!"
May 16, 2007
Support EC Access for Women in the Military Serving Overseas!
Public Policy Alert: 16-May-2007
Call Your U.S. House Representative Today: Urge them to Vote “YES” on an Amendment to Ensure Servicewomen Have Access to Emergency Contraception!
This vote is taking place TOMORROW!
Continue reading "Support EC Access for Women in the Military Serving Overseas!"
May 14, 2007
ACP Challenges Congress to Make 'Fundamental Changes' in Medicare Payment Policies
Public Release Date: 13-May-2007
"Congress has an historic opportunity to join with the American College of Physicians (ACP), other physician organizations and employers to redesign Medicare payment policies to provide incentives for patient-centered care," ACP told the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in a written statement for the record submitted today.