El Paso Planned Parenthood launches “birth control for all” pilot program

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Planned Parenthood launched it's birth control for all program, an initiative they say will expand access to birth control and essential reproductive care for both women and men in the community.

Planned Parenthood recieved over one million dollars in private donations to support the launch of the program.

U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said, "Organizations like planned parenthood play a greater role in filling gaps that women in El Paso are facing. In a state like Texas and a community like El Paso where we already have a high rate of individuals without health insurance."

Escobar said she hopes that organizations like Planned Parenthood receive support from the federal government, but for now the Planned Parenthood and local leaders are grateful for the support they've received from private donors.

The initiative, called "TOMA control", offers services for those who do not have health insurance and are below the federal poverty line. They emphasize El Paso has high rates of uninsured and poverty, and this initiative makes resources available to those impacted.

"Sometimes you chose groceries over your birth control, this is a way to minimize and mitigate at least in this one area, an area of concern, that you know folks can be thinking about or hesitating," said Marina Monsisvais, Chair of Planned Parenthood Greater Texas.