FROM KBFPC’S July 2025 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Friends,
As it turns out, the lone crane from last month is actually a proud parent of two fluffy crane colts. They too understand that here at Kachemak Bay Family Planning we support all of their reproductive healthcare goals. We spent the month of June sharing this exact message across the Kenai Peninsula at Pride events in Homer and Soldotna, and all the way up to Anchorage at the Run for Women.
At the run, racers braved the wind in support of breast cancer awareness and shared with us the story of who they ran for. So many of these stories were about women under 40 who were caught off guard by a breast cancer diagnosis. Though the incidence rate for breast cancer in women under 40 is rather low, these stories hit hard because these women are more likely to die from the breast cancer than their older counterparts. Young women are often less aware of what symptoms to look for and then face barriers to accessing care when symptoms are identified. Every time we attend one of these events, we are reminded about the value of access to medically accurate health information and breast cancer screenings.
Fast forward to last week when providers across the state were informed that the Alaska Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Assistance Program (AK B&C), a CDC funded program, had yet to receive its Notice of Award for Fiscal Year 2026. Because of this, the program paused assistance to Alaskans starting yesterday, July 1. This means that any screenings or follow-up care provided after June 30 will not be covered by AK B&C until further notice. This program covers the cost of annual wellness visits for clients that include clinical breast cancer screenings and/or Pap tests, mammograms, and diagnostic tests if needed. It also helps connect clients to financial support for treatment.
While KBFPC clients who are eligible for AKB&C usually qualify for significant discounts according to our clinic’s sliding fee scale, and we will continue to care for them, without the AKB&C program we will not receive any reimbursement. This is a dynamic situation, and we hope that funding for this State program will resume soon. In the meantime, we are working with regional partners to find solutions for patient care within all our capacities. This is the first of the program-targeted financial hits we are bracing for. Our hearts are heavy, but we are motivated to continue supporting our community.
With appreciation,
Jane Rohr, Community Liaison
907-235-3436 x108
Notes on HR1
Many of us have our eyes on the daily happenings in Washington D.C., but in case you missed it; yesterday, the Senate passed HR1 the budget reconciliation bill. The vote was 51- 50 with the Vice President providing the tie breaking vote. The bill will go back to the House for a vote on the changes made in the Senate.
As we have highlighted before, the cuts to Medicaid included in HR1 will directly impact our clients and the agency on many fronts. We anticipate clients will be less likely to seek out healthcare in general, and reproductive healthcare in particular, because of the other barriers in access to care – including changes that will make the program more complicated to navigate and qualify for.
The language in HR1 referred to as “defunding Planned Parenthood” does not pertain to KBFPC because we do not fall under the definition of “prohibited entity” outlined by the bill. However, if the two remaining Planned Parenthood clinics in Alaska are forced to close because of the loss of Medicaid dollars, we will all feel an increased strain on an already stressed health care system. In addition, the options Alaskans have for reproductive healthcare providers would drop drastically. In our line of work, we believe everyone should have access to choices; we’d hate to see options for Alaskans go away.
Did you know? The Mobile Mammogram buses are coming to Homer this summer! The BCDC bus will be here in August, call 907-479-3909 to schedule and the Providence bus will be here in September, call 907-212-3151 to schedule.
Resist: Concert Benefit
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, July 16th at 7pm at the Porcupine Theater. Let’s dance, enjoy one another’s company, and raise funds to support access to quality and inclusive reproductive healthcare on the Kenai Peninsula.
Ticket sales are live!
Unable to join us in person?
Show your support by ordering a limited edition sweatshirt featuring artwork by Homer’s own Oceana Wills.
Just In: Community Insights on Syphilis and other STIs
Have you heard? Over the last year and a half we surveyed the community on their knowledge around syphilis and other STIs.
The data is in! Take a look at what we’ve learned. Let’s take coordinated action together.
KBBI Coffee Table: SafeZone
Our very own Jane Rohr along with Leslie Byrd, a SafeZone Trainer on the Central Peninsula joined Kathleen Gustafson on KBBI’s Coffee Table on Wednesday, June 25th to discuss what SafeZone training is and what is involved in creating a safe space. KBBI will make the recording available at the page below. If you are interested in hosting a SafeZone training at your business or organization reach out to us at [email protected]
Concert on the Lawn: Supporting Public Radio
KBBI’s annual Concert on the Lawn is coming up on Saturday, July 12th from noon to 7pm at Karen Hornaday Park. Come boogie to tunes and get crafty with the KBFPC Outreach team.