Media Release

FOR: Immediate Release
DATE: December 14, 1999
CONTACT: Andrea Bagnall 401-222-5951
Laurie Petrone 401-222-5985 Health Policy and Communication, Division of Family Health

Rhode Island Department of Health Offers No Cost Vasectomies to Uninsured Rhode Island Men

Reducing unintended pregnancies makes good sense for everyone. Research shows that men often do not seek vasectomies because they don't have health insurance and can't afford it. In response, the Department of Health started a statewide vasectomy program in May of 1999. The program provides counseling and no cost vasectomies for Rhode Island men over 21 years old. It focuses on men who do not have health insurance or whose health insurance does not pay for vasectomies.

Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) states, "The vasectomy program provides choice and access for a group that often lacks good medical coverage. The program contributes to state and national objectives emphasizing personal responsibility, cost-effectiveness and safe preventive health services." Vasectomy is an effective method of birth control. If unable to obtain a vasectomy, men's options are reduced to alternative methods, which are often less effective and can lead to unintended pregnancies.

Currently 15 health care providers participate in the RI vasectomy program. Patients are typically uninsured, employed with an average monthly income of less than $1400, and have an average of two kids.

HEALTH wants to increase public awareness about the vasectomy program. Health care providers, social service agencies and small employers throughout the state received program and promotional materials. HEALTH expanded the effort to include advertisements on English and Spanish radio stations.

Men who are interested in learning more about obtaining a vasectomy through this program should call the Family Health Information Line at 1-800-942-7432.

Calls are answered in both English and Spanish.

Rhode Island Department of Health Vasectomy Program Fact Sheet

• The 1996 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Survey showed that 53% of adults in Rhode Island use some method of birth control. 31% of survey respondents aged 18-44 reported sterilization (male and female) as the method of birth control used.

• A vasectomy (male sterilization) is a simple surgical procedure that blocks the tubes that carry a man's sperm. In most cases, once a man gets a vasectomy, he will not be able to make a woman pregnant (less than 1 in 100 vasectomies fail). Vasectomy should be considered a permanent method of birth control; operations to undo a vasectomy are very expensive and results can not be guaranteed. A vasectomy is a good option for birth control if a couple has all the children they will ever want and prefer a permanent method of birth control.
• The percentage of the adult population (ages 18 and older) that is without health insurance has increased significantly over the past few years, mostly among males. Approximately 14% (or 29,500) of the 208,000 Rhode Island men ages 21-55 still have no health insurance.
• In Rhode Island, working-age adults with limited income are more likely to be uninsured than those with high incomes. 1995 data showed that 28.2% of people between the ages of 18 and 64 with an annual family income of $15,000-24,999 were uninsured.
• Vasectomy can reduce unintended pregnancies. Research shows that reducing the number of unintended pregnancies saves states money. Data from Washington state show that an estimated 1,800 births averted over a two year period through that state's vasectomy program saved the state an estimated $3,624,480.
• To obtain a vasectomy through the Rhode Island Department of Health program, men can call the Family Health Information Line to get the name of one of the fifteen participating physicians. The first step in obtaining a vasectomy is talking to the physician. The physician discusses the procedure and helps men and their partners to determine whether a vasectomy is the right choice of birth control. All men (and their partners) are required to sign a consent form attesting that they have received counseling and are making an informed decision to have a vasectomy. The procedure takes place on a separate day in the physician's office. After the vasectomy, the man's sperm count is checked to make sure the procedure was successful.

• Rhode Islanders have a choice of family planning methods. The vasectomy program is only one option provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health Family Planning Program. The Rhode Island Department of health, in collaboration with 16 community based health care providers, offers a full range of family planning services to men and women. Health care providers who participate in the program offer services at a reduced fee for all who have limited income.