07 Sep Medicaid Expansion May Increase Access to Birth Control and Family Planning Services
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Moniz
Michelle H. Moniz, MD, MSc
Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We wanted to examine whether Medicaid expansion in Michigan was associated with improved access to birth control/family planning services in our state. We conducted a survey of enrollees in the Michigan Medicaid expansion program (called “Healthy Michigan Plan”).
We found that 1 in 3 women of reproductive age reported improved access to birth control/family planning services after joining HMP. Women who were younger, who were uninsured prior to joining HMP, and those who had recently seen a primary care clinician were most likely to report improved access.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Contraception is essential healthcare for women of reproductive age. 45% of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. There is great need for strategies to help women achieve their reproductive life goals.
Our findings suggest that Medicaid expansion may help a significant number of women to get access to birth control/family planning services.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: An important next step is to measure whether improved access to birth control/family planning services changes rates of contraceptive method use and the downstream rates of unintended pregnancies.
Disclosures: I received research funding from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and the National Institutes for Reproductive Health.
Citation:
[wysija_form id=”3″]
[last-modified]
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on September 7, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD