NEICAC to close Family Planning Clinic June 30

Decorah - The Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) Board of Directors voted Monday night, Feb. 27, 2017, at their regularly scheduled Board meeting to close the longtime Family Planning/Health Services clinic in Decorah after June 30, 2017 when their contract with the Iowa Department of Public Health ends.

The decision was very difficult for the Board, with a discussion for over an hour about the history of the program and what options were available for the program. However, the funding and the insurance reimbursement rates have not covered the operational cost for several years and gotten far more tenuous the last three years.

NEICAC Executive Director, Mary Ann Humpal, stated, “The programs financials are getting worse each year.  As much as this clinic is needed and used by 600+ clients, we cannot compromise the financial stability of the entire agency for the clinic. The Federal Family Planning funding (Title X) has not changed for over 10 years and has decreased since 2010. It is a sad day, but without a sustaining funding source to keep the clinic going long-term, there really wasn’t any other option.”

The Family Planning staff will utilize the next four months working with our clients to help find alternative providers. Family Planning provided services to residents of: Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.