News & Events
Wisconsin Women’s Network Letter to the Editor Concerning the DHS Decision to End its Contract with Planned Parenthood
December 20, 2011
The Wisconsin Women’s Network Chair, Eve Galanter, submitted the following Letter to the Editor concerning the recent state Department of Health Services decision to end its contract with Planned Parenthood for the coordination of life-saving cancer screenings in four Wisconsin counties:
Dear Editor,
The Wisconsin Women’s Network was surprised to learn late last week that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) plans to end its contract with Planned Parenthood to coordinate life-saving breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women in Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac and Sheboygan counties.
We do not know the basis for this decision, since we are unaware of any DHS criticism regarding Planned Parenthood’s administration of these services over the past 16 years. We understand that both DHS and the Governor have given assurances that a new provider will be sought to continue the Well Woman Program in these counties when the contract expires on January 1st. However, we are dismayed at the thought that there may be a gap in coverage for these potentially lifesaving services given that a provider needs to be quickly identified and a contract must be drafted and finalized – not a speedy process at any time but definitely a challenge at this time of year when so many staff and personnel are on leave for the holidays.
We will continue to monitor this situation in the hope of insuring that there is no gap in coverage for women in these counties and that any agency selected by the state has the expertise and experience to provide the same high quality service these vulnerable women and their families have come to expect and deserve.
Sincerely,
Eve Galanter
Chair, Wisconsin Women’s Network
Read a PDF version of the letter by clicking here.
