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What impact does culture have on family planning with women who are on Medicaid? Are there interventions to deal with this?

Family planning is considered a mandatory benefit under Medicaid, which implies that all programs must cover family planning. Individuals of child-bearing, age including sexually active minors desiring such services, would be eligible.


Most states provide prescription contraceptives as part of their Medicaid programs and over time, the concept of family planning expanded to include related services such as testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, promotion of health education and fertility preservation.


However, certain cultural factors influence the ability of some women to derive full benefits from family planning services provided under the Medicaid program. These factors include religious influences, gender role inequality, the belief that contraceptive use implies promiscuity, difficulties in engaging in open discussions on sexual health, beliefs that women must bear children, and a host of other preconceived notions.


These culture-based health beliefs about family planning must be addressed if all women must have access to family planning services under Medicaid that meet their personal values and diminish the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.


Cultural competency training must be given to service providers to ensure that they have the ability to acknowledge cultural differences and to give them the ability to view behavior within a cultural context. This is key, especially with family planning providers who engage with patients regarding very personal health issues.


Medicaid programs must ensure appropriate and timely referrals for women enrolled in faith-based health plans or provider networks that have religious objections to some contraceptive methods which may limit women's access to all the range of family planning services.


Other interventions to remove cultural barriers to having full access to family planning services under Medicaid may include involvement of men and women of influence in family planning and counseling procedures, involvement of religious leaders, and the provision of accurate information to dispel myths.

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