KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – YWCA Kalamazoo along with its partners announced on Wednesday, April 19 their campaign to seek funding from Kalamazoo County for its Reproductive Health Fund.
YWCA officials say the Reproductive Health Fund is designed to help Kalamazoo residents overcome financial barriers to access doula services, abortion care, and gender-affirming care, all of which are often excluded from health insurance programs.
To fill in gaps in health care access, YWCA is calling on the Kalamazoo County Commission to allocate $100,000 in county funding to the Reproductive Health Fund, which they say, is the nation’s first comprehensive fund of its kind. YWCA Kalamazoo presented to the Commission on Tuesday, April 18 about the need for county support and plan to continue engagement with the commissioners in the lead up to the vote around September.
“As other states across the country are actively working to deny reproductive health care, we want our elected officials in Kalamazoo to stay focused on the health and safety of our communities by dedicating local resources,” said Demetrias Wolverton, Interim Chief of Staff of YWCA Kalamazoo. “The Kalamazoo County Commission has a concrete, tangible opportunity to meet the needs of our community — and to provide vital health care services that reflect our values.”
“I am proud to support the work of the YWCA Reproductive Health Fund,” said Kalamazoo County Commissioner Jen Strebs. “Access to health care services is not possible for everyone and being denied care can have devastating impacts on people’s lives and on our entire community. In my own life, I have survived a high-risk pregnancy as well as sexual and domestic violence. By investing in the Reproductive Health Fund, we can ensure Kalamazooans can access the essential health care they need which allows families and communities to thrive.”
“Everyday we hear from patients who are struggling to take time off work, arrange childcare, find transportation and cover the cost of their appointment. And these barriers fall hardest on Black and Brown women, LGBTQ people, people with low incomes, and people with disabilities. This really is at the root of our health equity crisis,” said Paula Thornton Greear, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “We need action at all levels of government to ensure that EVERY community member can access the care they need to achieve their optimal health and raise thriving families, if and when they want to.”
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