Fw: Take action now for women's health!

[Guest guest]

FYI! We All need to 'take action' on this issue!

MM

Martha Murdock, Director

National Silicone Implant Foundation | Dallas Headquarters

" Supporting Survivors of Medical Implant Devices "

4416 Willow Lane

Dallas, TX 75244-7537

----- Original Message -----

From: " Lesley Ramsey " <lramsey@...>

<TCWH_Action@...>

Sent: Friday, October 25, 2002 1:01 PM

Subject: Take action now for women's health!

> **** It's the last week to show your support for a Medicaid Waiver for

> Women's Health!!!

>

> Our postcard campaign in support of a Medicaid waiver for Women's Health

> has been a great success! We have collected hundreds to be delivered to

> Governor and Health and Human Services Commissioner Don Gilbert

> next week.

>

> If you haven't signed one yet--do it today! And get some for your

> co-workers, friends and family.

>

> Send a request for postcards to be faxed or mailed to you by contacting

> Lesley Ramsey at Phone: 512-448-4857, Fax: 512-448-3373, or Email:

> LRamsey@....

>

> Background:

> The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), with the approval

> of the Governor’s Office, is moving forward with Texas’ application for

> a federal Medicaid waiver to expand eligibility for preventive women’s

> health care services and family planning, as well as treatment for

> breast and cervical cancer.

>

> This waiver expands Medicaid eligibility for family planning services to

> women ages 18-44 at or below 185% poverty. With the waiver in place,

> thousands more women will have access to the following preventive and

> primary care services:

>

> o an annual physician examination

> o contraceptives

> o health screening for breast and cervical cancer, diabetes, anemia,

> hypertension, sexually transmitted diseases and infections and other

> conditions

> o treatment for breast and cervical cancer

>

> At this time, Texas Health and Human Services Commission is stating that

> women must go through the full-blown Medicaid eligibility process,

> which will cost the state more than the provision of the services.

>

> You can tell Gov. and Commissioner Gilbert you support the waiver

> with simplified eligibility by sending a letter to them:

>

> Governor can be contacted at the following (faxes are great!):

> The Honorable Governor Rick

> Governor's Office Fax: 512-463-0039

> P.O. Box 12428 Phone: 512-463-2000

> Austin, TX 78711

>

> Commissioner Gilbert can be contacted at the following:

> Commissioner Don A. Gilbert

> 4900 N. Lamar, 4th Floor Fax: 512-424-6587

> P.O. Box 13247 Phone: 512-424-6502

> Austin, TX 78711-3247 Email: don.gi-@...

>

> Some key talking points:

>

> A Medicaid waiver for family planning would offer Texas the opportunity

> to provide preventive health care services to thousands of low-income,

> uninsured Texas women using 90% federal monies.

>

> The eligibility determination process for patients seeking services

> under the Women's Health Care Medicaid Waiver must be simple,

> inexpensive and at the point of service. These women seeking the

> limited preventive health care services at an average cost of $140 per

> year under the waiver should not have to go through the full-blown

> Medicaid eligibility process.

>

> Provision of these services is cost-beneficial.

>

> Provision of these services allows for early detection and treatment,

> and avoids unintended Medicaid paid births, as well as the additional

> need and expense of other health and human services.

>

> *********************************************************

> This update is provided by the Texas Campaign for Women's Health. TCWH

> is a statewide coalition comprising more than 50 co-sponsoring

> organizations, as well as many individuals, working together to improve

> the status of women's health care in Texas. Co-sponsors include health

> care advocates, professional organizations, and community based

> advocacy, action and support groups.

>

> Join the " TCWH ActionAlert " email list at www.topica.com

>

> For more information on the coalition, contact Lesley Ramsey at

> LRAMSEY@WHFPT or see our website: www.whfpt/TCWH

>

>

> ********************

> Lesley Ramsey

> Project Director

> Texas Campaign for Women's Health

> 905-A W. Oltorf

> Austin, Texas 78704

> (512) 448-4857

>

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