FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audrey Ann Ross
215-985-2619
audrey.ross@accessmatters.org
AccessMatters Receives Title X Family Planning Grant from HHS
Southeastern PA Network One of the Largest and Most Diverse in Nation
[PHILADELPHIA, PA – March 31, 2022]: Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced funding decisions for the Title X Family Planning Program. AccessMatters, a public health organization based in Philadelphia, has received funding to continue its role as the long-standing grantee in Southeastern Pennsylvania for this vital public health program.
“We are pleased to continue carrying forward the work of Title X, our nation’s family planning program, especially in light of increased attacks on sexual and reproductive health care,” said Melissa Weiler Gerber, President & CEO of AccessMatters. “Though Congress’s latest budget deal resulted in a cut to our grant funding, it is our priority to do everything we can to ensure patients receive the accurate, unbiased, patient-centered information and care they seek in order to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing.”
The Title X Program serves teens and adults with counseling, information, and preventive sexual and reproductive health services, including: annual gynecological exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, pregnancy testing and information and counseling on pregnancy options, and STI/HIV testing and treatment. AccessMatters’ Information Hotline is a key component of the region’s Family Planning Network and connects consumers directly with the family planning provider most convenient to them. The confidential hotline can be reached at 215-985-3300 or via text to 833-667-3377.
The new grant cycle is for a period of five years – a welcome extension of recent three-year grant cycles. The extended length provides for an opportunity to have a greater focus on service delivery and public awareness and education.
AccessMatters’ Network of healthcare partner organizations serves over 34,000 patients at sites throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, AccessMatters’ Title X network is among the largest and most diverse in the nation. AccessMatters’ network includes hospital-based sites, community-based health centers (including federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), public health centers, freestanding women’s health centers, homeless shelters/drop-in centers, youth detention centers, school-based health centers, and college student health centers.
“As the steward of this critical public health program in our region for nearly 50 years, our staff has worked closely with our dedicated family planning provider partners to maintain a high level of coordinated care throughout our region,” said Weiler Gerber. “We are honored to continue in this role, and will work daily both to support and strengthen this important safety-net while continuing our advocacy protect the hallmarks of the Title X family planning program – confidential, comprehensive, non-directive, patient-centered care.”
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AccessMatters’ mission is to protect, expand, and enhance equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care and information for all people. For more information about AccessMatters’ programs, follow @AccessMatters4U on Twitter, and @AccessMatters on Facebook.