Senator Tester Makes Women’s Health Care a Priority

Senator Jon Tester, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, is pushing the Senate to provide stronger support for Title X family planning services for low-income women and families.

Tester, in a letter to Appropriations Committee members, urged his fellow senators to invest in Title X, which provides basic primary and preventive health care services to more than 4.5 million low-income women and men nationally, and over 20,000 Montanans.

“For many Montana women, Title X provides their only access to a doctor. By making sure that health centers across our state have adequate funding, we are ensuring the health of Montana families and communities,” Tester said. “As we begin the appropriations process, I’m committed to making sure that women’s access to health care isn’t on the chopping block.”

Title X funding provides basic preventative care including Pap tests, breast exams and HIV testing. Tester reminded committee members that every dollar invested in Title X saves over $7 in Medicaid-related costs, and four out 10 women who receive care at a Title X funded health care center consider it to be their only source of health care.