Recorded presentation

Diana Romero, PhD, MA¹, Hannah C. Fortune-Greeley, BA¹, Wendy Chavkin, MD, MPH¹, Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD², and Jorge Luis Verea, MD³. (1) Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, B-2, New York, NY 10032, (212) 304-5872, hcf2101@columbia.edu, (2) Division of Academic Medicine, Geriatrics, and Community Programs, Department of Medicine, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, I-594, Newark, NJ 07103, (3) North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Centers, 5301 Broadway, West New York, NJ 07093

Background: New Jersey is one of 23 states with a “family-cap” (or child exclusion) policy, which denies additional cash assistance to women who have children while receiving welfare. It is unclear if such policies affect poor women’s reproductive health behavior and/or have health consequences for them and their children. The focus of this research on the historic welfare-reform policies contributes to two important public health areas: poverty and women’s health.

Objectives: Determine how poor women in New Jersey responded (or not) to the family-cap policy, including their knowledge of the policy, whether it influenced their decisions around contraception, pregnancy, and abortion, and the impact of reduced economic resources on their health and well-being.

Methods and findings: Combined qualitative and quantitative survey, administered to 30 White, African-American and Latina women (15 current and 15 former welfare recipients), recruited at a community-based organization delivering social services to women in New Jersey. Data collection is underway and will be analyzed to assess the relevance of the family cap in these women’s lives and the impact on their fertility-related decisions and overall well-being.

Policy implications: Few evaluations of the family cap policy have been conducted, and none have involved in-depth interviews of affected women. Limited prior research has used administrative data to evaluate the effect of the policy on women’s reproductive behaviors. This pilot research is unique in its direct contact with welfare recipients. Findings may influence whether or not this policy is included when the TANF law is reauthorized.

Learning Objectives:

• - Describe the family cap policy within the context of welfare/poverty policy
• - Identify the impact of the family cap policy on women’s fertility and contraceptive decision-making
• - Identify the contraceptive methods that are available to poor women and potential access barriers
• - Assess the potential health consequences of reduced economic resources, due to the family cap, on the lives of poor women

Keywords: Welfare Reform, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation