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Our View: New fulfillment centers good for area

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Several arrested in Hazleton area drug sweep

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright has announced that more than $1.6 million in federal funds has been approved for Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc. &#8212; a grant that the agency&#8217;s president/CEO called &#8220;critical&#8221; to the organization.</p><p>Cartwright, D-Moosic, announced that MFHS will receive $1,620,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).</p><p>The funds will be used to continue to administer the Title X Family Planning Program across Northeastern Pennsylvania that helps mothers and families in the district have access to much-needed medical care.</p><p>&#8220;It is crucial that we keep investing in community health centers that provide essential services for Pennsylvanians,&#8221; Cartwright said. &#8220;I&#8217;m proud to keep working to make health care more affordable and to ensure that families are getting the services they need.&#8221;</p><p>Since its founding in 1971, MFHS has helped families in Pennsylvania receive medical and preventive services, including pregnancy care, support for first-time mothers, and cancer screenings. These services are available in 16 Pennsylvania counties, including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne.</p><p>&#8220;We are pleased that our organization, once again, has been awarded this critically important grant,&#8221; said Bette Cox Saxton, President/CEO of Maternal &amp; Family Health Services. &#8220;As a Title X grant recipient for 48 years, MFHS has served as the region&#8217;s steward of this vital funding to help ensure that all of our family planning clients will receive the critical support and care they need to make informed, educated decisions about their reproductive health.&#8221;</p><p>Saxton said when women have access to comprehensive reproductive health and prevention services, they are better able to plan and space their births.</p><p>&#8220;This leads to positive health, social and economic outcomes for women and families in our communities,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Saxton said the Title X program, was established by Congress in ,prioritizes the needs of low-income and uninsured women, men and teens by offering comprehensive reproductive health and preventative services to those whose incomes fall below the federal poverty level.</p><p>She said last year, more than 28,000 reproductive health visits, 17,000 breast cancer screenings, 14,500 STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) screenings and 13,000 health counseling sessions were provided by the MFHS network. Other services included cervical cancer screenings, fertility awareness information, contraception supplies and pregnancy tests.</p><p>&#8220;With this award, we will continue to support the delivery of quality reproductive and sexual health services in our area,&#8221; Saxton said. &#8220;When women have access to comprehensive reproductive health and prevention services they are better able to plan and space their births. This leads to positive health, social and economic outcomes for women and families in our communities.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Saxton </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Bette-Cox-Saxton.jpg</photo0><caption0>Saxton </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Cartwright.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Cartwright </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_Cartwright.jpg</photo1><caption1>Cartwright </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Cartwright announces $1.6M for Maternal and Family Health Services