EMAA RECEIVES WOMEN'S HEALTH FUNDS

East Missouri Action Agency, Inc. (EMAA), which normally serves eight counties from its central offices in Park Hills, recently received from the Missouri Department of Health funding allocation totaling over $230,000 to provide services to women from 13 counties during the next year in response to women's health care and contraceptive needs.

EMAA was informed recently of approval by the State Department of Health of a contract providing for expenditures of up to $218,000 for rendering Family Planning services to women of childbearing age. These services include examinations, counseling on birth control methods and contraceptive supplies and related services. The state funding will enable EMAA to provide services to over 1,400 women in EMAA's eight-county service area and five adjoining counties.*

No charges are made if the family's income is below 100% of the federal poverty level. $13,800 for a family of three.) When, the income level of the family justifies it, charges are made on a sliding fee scale.

EMAA's Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) received funding of $18,795. This money is available to pay for examinations, including mammograms for women over the age of 50. The household income of persons who receive these services must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty line -- an income of no more than $22,120 for a two-person household. These services are free to those who qualify.

Angela Prather, EMAA's Family Planning Department Head, stated that "'These financial resources being received from the State of Missouri will enable us to reach many women who are in desperate need for the services we provide. We are grateful to the State of Missouri for making these funds available -for services to women in this part of the state."

Five clinic sites are located in: Cape Girardeau, Fredericktown, Ironton, Park Hills and Perryville. Anyone interested in receiving these services or obtaining more information about them may call EMAA's Family Planning Department at 1-800-392-8663. Alternatively, calls may be made to EMAA offices in each county (list attached).

EMAA's normal service area; (Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington Counties). Additional counties to be served: Jefferson, Reynolds, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne.