FAMILY PLANNING: Davis Hails Gore’s Efforts in Securing Grant
Praising Vice President Al Gore for his integral role in negotiations, Gov. Gray Davis (D) announced yesterday that California has secured a $900 million HCFA grant for family planning programs. The grant, to be distributed over the next five years, will bolster funding for the Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (PACT) program established in 1997 to increase family planning services for low-income California residents. Under the program, adults whose annual household incomes are less than $33,000 will have access to contraceptives, sterilization, screening for breast and cervical cancer and testing for STDs, including HIV. According to Davis spokesperson Michael Bustamante, Family Pact money may not be used for abortion services, which are covered through the Medi-Cal program. The Los Angeles Times reports that Davis touted Gore's role in securing the grant in an effort to "boost Gore's presidential candidacy" in California, a "must-win state" in the upcoming Democratic primary (Morain, 12/2). Davis said, "I am deeply appreciative of Vice President Gore's efforts to help secure funding for this program, which provides important health services to Californians." He added, "The focus of Family PACT is prevention and the promotion of positive and responsible reproductive health practices. Hundreds of thousands of low-income men and women benefit from these family planning services each year" (Davis release, 12/1). The first installment of the grant, $173 million, is slated to arrive this month (Los Angeles Times, 12/2).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.