Public Welfare and Family Planning

Abstract

A survey of family planning (FP) policies and programs of the 50 states the District of Columbia and 266 selected local welfare units was conducted by mail by the Dept. of Health Education and Welfare in 1970. The survey asked if there were restrictive policies in the programs what proportion of welfare cases received family planning services what types of referral information services and follow-up procedures were available what payments for contraceptive services and supplies were provided what expenditures were earmarked for medical services and what was the welfare administrators self-assessment of their family planning programs. Results indicated that 19 states have restrictions usually against teenagers and unmarried clients. Only 10 states provided FP to more than 20% of eligible clients. In most states the caseworker may initiate conversation on FP. 9 states have full-time FP staff usually one person. 19 states required FP training for caseworkers while 6 more had training funded but not required. 36 state welfare departments would pay for contraceptive services roughly 20% had a budget estimate of FP expenditures and 36 states assessed their programs as inadequate. Authors recommend removal of all restrictions regarding minors through definite federal legislation.