Kaiser Updates

The Michigan state Department of Community Health on Saturday will begin enrollment in the state's "Plan First!" program, which will provide family planning services to women with annual incomes at or below 185% of the federal poverty level who meet Medicaid eligibility, the Detroit Free Press reports. The plan, which will provide birth control to women ages 19 to 44 who do not have health insurance, will use about $183 million in Medicaid funds and also will provide prenatal and postnatal counseling. The program does not cover abortion services or infertility treatments. "Investing in more preventive health care for women will help reduce heath care costs statewide," Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) said in a statement. She added that the extended services will reduce infant mortality, child abuse, child neglect and unintended pregnancy, the Free Press reports. MDCH Director Janet Olszewski said, "It is estimated that each public dollar spent to provide family planning services saves $3 that would otherwise be spent in Medicaid costs for pregnancy-related care and medical care for newborns."

Then, Minnesota turns around and does this:
The Minnesota state Department of Health on Saturday will begin to give $4.75 million worth of grants -- which will be disbursed over two years -- to 37 not-for-profit groups that discourage abortion, encourage adoption and provide prenatal counseling and other health care services for pregnant women, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) last year signed into law a bill (SF 917) that establishes a Positive Alternatives Grant Program and requires the state Department of Health to launch a public information campaign about fetal development, alternatives to abortion and other services for pregnant women. The original version of the bill would have denied funding to any state group that provides abortion information to pregnant women. However, lawmakers amended the measure to allow state funding for organizations that mention abortion as an option but do not encourage abortion or arrange for abortion services.