Louisiana: Developing and Managing A Statewide Family Planning Program

Abstract

As a result of the first 4 years (1967-1971) of operation of the Louisiana Family Planning Program Inc. 77000 women have enrolled in the program and 57000 (74%) are still active. They represent more than 30% of the women estimated to be in need of subsidized family planning services in Louisiana. While seeking to overcome problems such as restrictive eligibility requirements imposed from outside the program (age income and prior pregnancy) the program still has experienced an overwhelming response of black families in need demonstrating the validity of the hypothesis that lack of avilability of services was a major cause of high fertility among Louisianas poor. Further efforts have been undertaken to include the poor whites who have not used the services (50% of the eligible blacks are now in the program compared to 11% of the estimated whites in need). Results of the programs experience tend to confirm that family planning services provided with or without other associated medical services will be used effectively by medically indigent couples and that family planning programs can improve other family health services to the poor.