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An ordinance adding a new section to the Metropolitan Code of Laws related to family planning services.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. A new section shall be added to Title 10 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws as follows:
A. For the purpose of preventing unwanted pregnancies in Davidson County the Department of Health shall provide, at a minimum, the following family planning services:
1. Family planning counseling;
2. Birth control counseling; and
3. Birth control products including, but not limited to, birth control pills, birth control patches, birth control rings, birth control injections, and birth control prophylactics.
B. The minimum family planning services required by this section shall be provided free of charge to Davidson County residents.
Section 2. Be it further enacted that this ordinance shall take effect immediately after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Agenda Analysis
Analysis
This ordinance adds a new section to the Metropolitan Code of Laws to provide certain family planning services free of charge to residents of Davidson County. The Metropolitan Department of Health would be required to provide, at a minimum, family planning counseling, birth control counseling, and birth control products including birth control pills, birth control patches, birth control rings, birth control injections, and birth control prophylactics. These minimum services would be provided free of charge to Davidson County residents. The minimum services do not include birth control implants, IUDs, or other long-acting reversible contraceptives.
Currently, the Metropolitan Department of Health provides these services and charges a fee based on the family income of the patient. Currently, patients with family income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level are not charged. Patients with family incomes between 101% and 250% of the federal poverty level are eligible for discounted services. Patients with incomes exceeding 250% of the federal poverty level are charged the reasonable cost of providing services. According to the Metropolitan Department of Health, grant funding for family planning services is currently received pursuant to Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act. The grant funding is conditioned on the participation in a program, which includes a requirement that all reasonable efforts must be made to obtain third-party payment where a third party is authorized or legally obligated to pay for the services, including payment by an insurance company. The ordinance will allow Metro to cover the family planning services costs that exceed the grant covered portion.
Fiscal Note: The Metropolitan Department of Health estimates that provision of these family planning services to all residents of Davidson County would cost approximately $2,500,000 more per year than is currently budgeted. If these services were limited to 1,000 residents, the estimated increase in cost would be approximately $685,000 per year. If these services were limited to 800 residents, the estimated increase in cost would be $806,000 per year.