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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Lourdes A. Rivera, JD, National Health Law Program, 2639 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034, 310-204-6010, rivera@healthlaw.org

Over the past three decades, Medicaid has played an important role in helping millions of low-income women fulfill their health needs, including reproductive health. Medicaid provides public health insurance to over 16 million low-income women, representing 70 percent of enrollees above age 15. Medicaid pays for family planning, prenatal care, labor and delivery, coverage for conditions likely to complicate pregnancy, some abortion services, HIV/AIDS care, STI and gynecological cancer screens and treatment, and other services critical to women's health. In addition to being the largest health insurance program in the country, Medicaid has provided enrollees with enforceable legal rights to ensure eligibility and access to affordable services.

Yet, Medicaid is under attack. The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2006 slashes federal Medicaid funding, increases co-payments, requires citizens to show birth certificates or passports to apply, and allows states to offer slimmer benefits packages. Days after the enactment of the DRA, billions of dollars of additional more cuts have been proposed in the fiscal year 2007 budget. States facing fiscal strains also have sought to curb their obligations under the Medicaid program. What do these cuts and policies mean to women? What can state advocates and other professionals do to maintain protections for women? How do attacks on Medicaid provide opportunities to work in coalition with other social justice advocates? These issues will be explored in the context of international human right principles on the right to health and reproductive health.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Understand the role of Medicaid in helping low-income women fulfill their health care needs, including reproductive health.
• Identify federal budget laws and state proposals threatening Medicaid.
• Link with reproductive justice and other social justice advocates to advocate for Medicaid.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Health Advocacy

Related Web page: www.healthlaw.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation