More than 13,000 low-income women in Colorado, including hundredsin Colorado Springs, will begin paying more for reproductive healthcare services beginning Jan. 1, officials of Planned Parenthood ofthe Rocky Mountains said this week.
Planned Parenthood employs a sliding-fee scale, based on theclient's income. Women who were receiving routine services such asbreast or pelvic exams for free will pay $20.
Prices could jump as high as $99 for other clients who now arepaying reduced prices for services.
The price changes could force thousands of women to look elsewherefor key preventive health services or lose them altogether, advocatesfor poor women say.
Planned Parenthood's decision comes after the Colorado Departmentof Health decided to cut off about $382,000 in funding to PlannedParenthood this month.
State health officials accused Planned Parenthood of subsidizingabortions with public money. An independent audit, paid for by thestate health department, said Planned Parenthood used state money tohelp pay rent for its abortion clinics. That was interpreted by statehealth officials to be a violation of Colorado's constitution.
Planned Parenthood denied the charges but has decided not to sueover the decision. Instead, the group will keep open its 13 clinics,including one in Colorado Springs, where it offers women routinehealth services such as annual checkups, cancer screenings and birthcontrol.
About 1,300 low-income women in Colorado Springs used PlannedParenthood for the health-care services this year.
'These sites are now going to become independent health centers,'said Cindy Shealy, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood in ColoradoSprings. 'In order to function, they're going to have to ask women topay more for these services.'
Shealy said Planned Parenthood will try to defray the cost withfund raising and offer payment plans for clients.
Visitors to the Planned Parenthood clinic on south AcademyBoulevard on Friday let out sighs of disappointment as workers toldthem of the change.
'I probably could afford a little bit more, but (not much). Thisis it.' said Cori, 21, who didn't want her last name used. 'That'swhy I come here. If I had to go to a regular doctor, I couldn'tafford it. I don't know where else to go.'
In some areas of the state, such as Trinidad, Planned Parenthoodis the only provider that offers a sliding-fee-schedule to poorwomen. Shealy said they probably won't be able to pay more and won'tseek services.
In Colorado Springs, low-income women have alternatives. They cango to the state Department of Health, which has a women's clinic anddoes family planning at its clinic in Fountain.
Local and state health officials said they have expanded theirfamily planning services and will be able to absorb new clients fromPlanned Parenthood. Other options are the Community Health Centers.
Some women say the health department clinics aren't as convenientas Planned Parenthood.
'You have to wait a long time to get an appointment with (thehealth department). They are so booked up,' said Deborah Fernandez,34, a disabled mother.
Fernandez said she uses the Planned Parenthood clinic because it'scheap and comfortable.
'It's like a family. It's a shame that they lost the funding.'
ALTERNATIVES
After Jan. 1, the Planned Parenthood clinic at 3029 S. AcademyBlvd. will charge more for routine health services such as cancerscreenings and birth control. Call Planned Parenthood at (800) 230-PLAN.
Alternatives for low-income women seeking such services:
The Colorado Department of Health Women's Clinic, 301 S. Union.Hours - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday. Call 575-8500. There's a two-week waiting list.
Colorado Department of Health Fountain Valley Office, 6360 S.Highway 85/87. This is not a walk-in clinic. Clinic must be calledfor an appointment 575-8574.
