Reproductive Health and Family Planning

Know your rights about reproductive health care: 

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website provides up-to-date information about access to and coverage of reproductive health care and resources. 

Your primary health care provider or clinical services may be able to help you with:

• Pregnancy testing and counseling
• Birth control
• Emergency contraception
• STI screening and treatment
• Preventive and primary care services
• Intimate partner safety
• Referrals for follow up and/or specialized care

If you do not have a health care provider, you can find a clinic near you through the Title X Clinic Finder or the Planned Parenthood website. All services provided through Title X and Planned Parenthood are voluntary and confidential. These services are also provided regardless of insurance status. No one will be turned away based on their inability to pay. Staff will work with you to make sure your services are covered. Some people may also qualify for benefits to help pay for their visit through the Family Planning Only Services Medicaid benefit.

Remember to call clinics first to ask about their hours and services they provide. For general questions about health care services in Wisconsin, visit the Well Badger Resource Center, text 608-360-9328, or call 1-800-642-7837.

Don't delay getting help if:

• You need care for life-threatening complications of pregnancy. These can include ectopic pregnancies, which are never viable, incomplete miscarriages, or incomplete placental delivery.
• You or someone you know decides to undertake methods of ending a pregnancy outside the health care system and suffers complications. Do not delay needed care for infection, prolonged bleeding, or other complications. Health care professionals are required to keep information shared with them confidential.
• You are experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, or have other mental health concerns. It is important to take care of your mental health. Talk to a health care professional you trust or call 211 if you are experiencing these feelings.
• You at any time are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or feel you are in immediate danger. Call 911.

If you need other help:

• Learn about the reproductive rights laws currently in place in Wisconsin and other states.
• Resources are available to you via text or phone if you have suicidal thoughts.
  • Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
  • National Crisis Text Line: 741741
  • Veteran's Crisis Text Line: 838255
  • Hard of Hearing/Deaf Line: 800-799-4889

If you are a public health or health care professional working as a part of our network or interested in joining our network, you may be interested in the following resources.

National and federal resources

• About Title X Service Grants. A comprehensive overview of the federal Title X program, administered through the federal Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs (OPA).
• Updated Title X Rule. On October 7, 2021 OPA published an updated and final rule for all Title X family planning programs. The rule went into effect on November 8, 2021.
• Title X Family Planning Program information sheet. A brief Title X informational fact sheet from OPA.
• Providing Quality Family Planning Services: Recommendations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs. The clinical guidance from the CDC and OPA that forms the foundation of Wisconsin’s RHFP program services.
• Reproductive Health National Training Center: A federally developed resource center that exists to ensure Title X personnel have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to delivery high-quality services and programs.

State resources

Well-Badger Resource Center: Wisconsin’s health information and referral service, connecting you to the social, health, and government programs available in your communities

Email the RHFP program for more information.

Additional resources related to abortion services

Patient referral services

• Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

Patient education materials

• Abortion Fact Sheet
• FAQ: Safe abortion care
  • What is abortion?
  • What is unsafe abortion?
  • What are the medical consequences of abortion?
• Abortion with Septic Shock

Provider resources

Below are a list of peer-reviewed, scientific articles on the effects and treatment of unsafe abortions.

• Unsafe abortion: Maternal health
• Unsafe abortion and maternal mortality
• Unsafe abortion
  • Choices of methods
  • Treatment of complications
• Complications of unsafe and self-managed abortion
  • Clinical Assessment
  • Differential Diagnoses and Treatment
• Complications after self-induced abortion

Strategies to care for your mental health

• Watch for signs of burnout and stress: Signs can range from poor hygiene; depression; irritability fatigue; and frustration, to more serious signs of being worried too much or easily startled, and having nightmares.
• Make time to unwind: Take time every day to do things you enjoy.
• Get support from team members: Set up a buddy system for staff to share concerns, talk about stress, and watch over each other’s safety and well-being.
• Ask for help when you need it: You may feel anxious or angry. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or your county crisis response line if you feel like you want to hurt yourself or others. You can also text “HOPELINE” to 741741 for emotional support.
• Develop healthy ways to cope with stress: Take breaks from work, eat healthy foods, exercise, and socialize with friends and family. Do not use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope.
• Limit your news and social media time: Repeated reports and posts about traumatic events can be upsetting. Take breaks.
• Take care of your body: Eat healthy, do some type of regular exercise, and get enough sleep.

More tips are available through Resilient Wisconsin.