Media Release 04.16.07

CHAMPAIGN- Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois supports local efforts to improve access to health care services just days after local health care advocates shed light on a health care access crisis for those in Champaign County with Medicaid coverage or who are uninsured.

“We are committed to working with other providers and advocates to end this crisis and ensure that all families in this area have access to high-quality, affordable health care, said Karla Peterson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois.

Local health care advocacy group Champaign County Health Care Consumers held a public meeting last Thursday evening to discuss the access to care crisis affecting families who are uninsured or have Medicaid coverage.  The group estimates that nearly 40% of Champaign County residents are affected by this crisis.  Recent data indicates that more than 76,000 families in Champaign County are uninsured or have Medicaid coverage. 

“Our primary concern is the health of our patients. As a specialty care provider, we work with many other local health care organizations to help meet the total health care needs of our patients, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Peterson.  “Although we have a strong referral network, there is still more progress to be made in this community.” 

Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois works with other local providers, including the Frances Nelson Health Center, Champaign County Christian Health Center, Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and Carle Foundation Hospital, to provide referrals for further care and offer access to affordable reproductive health services to patients of these providers.    

Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois has been providing affordable reproductive health care and education to families across east central Illinois since 1940.  Planned Parenthood’s Champaign health center provides services to more than 5,000 women and men each year.  93% of the organization’s patients are uninsured or have Medicaid coverage.

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Healthy Families. Healthy communities. Plan on it.

Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois (PPECI) is the largest provider of reproductive health care in downstate Illinois.  More than 14,000 men, women and teens are served by PPECI each year at health centers in Bloomington, Champaign, Clinton, Effingham, Lincoln and Ottawa.  Planned Parenthood of East Central Illinois has been providing affordable and confidential health care, education and advocacy in the area since 1940.  Learn more about us on the web at http://www.ppeci.org/.