Prescription birth control no longer available through Central Shenandoah Health District

STAUNTON, Va. (WSET) — Due to recent federal funding cuts that support nationwide family planning services, the Central Shenandoah Health District will no longer be able to offer these services after Wednesday, July 20.

The affected services are funded through Title X Family Planning, a federal grant program created to provide comprehensive and confidential family planning.

This includes contraception, pregnancy counseling, breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, and pregnancy diagnosis.

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Services that will not be impacted include the distribution of free condoms, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing and treatment.

The Virginia Department of Health received a $1,150,000 reduction in Title X funds through early 2023.

“We understand the importance of these services and how much our community depends on them,” said Dr. Elaine Perry, Interim Health Director for the Central Shenandoah Health District. “While we no longer have the needed resources, other providers within the health district will continue to serve individuals in need of family planning services.

Earlier this month, the health district notified its patients regarding the discontinuation of these services.

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Within this communication, patients received a comprehensive list of local providers, including the Rockbridge Area Health Center and Healthy Communities Health Centers, who offer similar services.

The Central Shenandoah Health District serves:

The counties of Rockbridge, Bath, Augusta, Highland and Rockingham and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington and Buena Vista.

Any questions can be sent via email to the Central Shenandoah Health District at cshdinfo@vdh.virginia.gov.