Our Policy Priorities:
Fully fund Iowa women’s health programs
The Legislature should ensure that women’s health programs that provide preventive care before, during, and after pregnancy are fully funded and can meet the needs of the ~50,000 women of reproductive age without health insurance. This includes:
- State Family Planning Program
- Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program
- Medicaid for Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Continue to expand access to contraception
FPCI champions efforts to expand access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, including allowing extended supply of birth control up to 12 months and increasing access to long-acting reversible contraception and sterilization services for Iowans who desire them.
Increase access to healthcare by reducing onerous red tape
FPCI supports efforts to modernize state eligibility and enrollment systems to streamline access to care. By simplifying paperwork, implementing efficient technology, and clarifying complex regulations, delays and frustration with healthcare and government systems can be reduced, and program effectiveness can be improved.
Support and grow the women’s healthcare workforce
Iowa’s safety net and public health workforce are the foundation of our collective effort to ensure a healthy and thriving Iowa. We support policies that expand career training and pathways to ensure the workforce reflects our communities and meets their needs, and that increase healthcare safety net funding and resources.
What are some of the specifics?
Increase Awareness of and Enrollment in the State Family Planning Program
Iowa’s Family Planning Program (FPP) is a form of limited insurance that helps cover the cost of family planning-related services. Men and women ages 12-54 who are Iowa residents or US citizens or qualified immigrants and meet income limits (below 300% FPL) are eligible, but may not know they can enroll.
Working with HHS to expand enrollment locations will help increase access to birth control, enhance STI testing and treatment, help improve future birth outcomes, and ensure Iowans have access to essential family planning and sexual and reproductive health services.
Pharmacist-Prescribed Birth Control
Allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control opens up access to those who cannot visit a doctor to get contraception. Iowans would be able to visit certified pharmacists without an appointment and receive birth control pills, patches, rings, and shots. This bill received legislative support during the previous sessions, and we are hoping to get it across the finish line next session.
What can you do?
Talk to your legislators!
As a constituent, your voice and your opinion matter! Take time to send an email or make a call and let your legislator know what issues are important to you and why.
Register to vote!
You can make a difference by deciding who represents you! Visit the Secretary of State’s website to learn how to register and where your local polling location is.