Family Planning Association
opts not to renew contract with ACAP
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA — In response to the changing health care environment, the Family Planning Association of Maine (FPA) has decided not to renew its contracts with four subcontractors when those contracts expired June 30.
The decision affects Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), headquartered in Presque Isle; Penquis, located in Bangor; Western Maine Community Action, located in East Wilton; and Downeast Health Services of Ellsworth.
As a result of this transition, the FPA is now Maine’s largest provider of reproductive health care services operating 18 family planning health centers in 14 of the state’s 16 counties. The organization expects to directly serve between 13,000-15,000 patients in the coming year.
In Aroostook County, ACAP and the FPA have been working together to assure a seamless transition with no interruption of family planning services in Presque Isle, Houlton and Fort Kent. Last Monday, as part of the transition, Presque Isle Family Planning moved to a newly-renovated health center at 5 Martin Street. Fort Kent Family Planning will move to 139 Market St. Aug. 1, while the Houlton Family Planning is staying at its present location at 91 Military St.
The FPA hopes the transition will result in greater responsiveness — locally and statewide — to a changing health care environment.
“The primary focus of this decision is to maintain and improve care for the patients,” said George Hill, chief executive officer of the FPA. “We will ensure that patients continue to have access to affordable, high-value reproductive health care services.
“This is not a decision we take lightly and it is not about the quality of services the agencies have provided. The agencies have done a great job with the available resources. We believe that by providing direct care to patients, the FPA will offer more consistent, higher-value health care,” he said. “The changes we are making are consistent with the FPA’s mission, which does not change. We will continue to be recognized experts in women’s health, working to ensure that Maine women have access to high-quality, affordable health care.”
For more information, log onto www.mainefamilyplanning.org.
