Healthfirst Network has announced the expansion of its reproductive health services into Brown, Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties, increasing access to affordable, confidential and comprehensive reproductive health care for residents throughout northeastern Wisconsin.
For more than 50 years, Healthfirst Network has provided high-quality reproductive health care services across central Wisconsin. This expansion reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring that individuals have access to essential reproductive health care services regardless of where they live. Healthfirst currently provides reproductive health services in multiple Wisconsin counties and is recognized as the state’s largest Title X reproductive health network.
Through this expansion, Brown, Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties will have increased access to a broad range of services, including preventive reproductive health care, contraceptive counseling and services, sexually-transmitted illness testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, cancer screenings, health education and referrals for specialized care when needed.
“Access to reproductive health care is a critical component of community health,” said Dr. Jessica Scharfenberg, chief executive officer of Healthfirst Network. “We are excited to expand our reach into our backyard in northeastern Wisconsin and help ensure that individuals in Brown, Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties have restored access to the quality, confidential care they deserve. This expansion aligns with our mission of making reproductive health care more accessible through direct care and strategic partnerships.”
The expansion supports statewide efforts to strengthen Wisconsin’s reproductive health infrastructure and improve access to family planning and sexual health services in underserved areas after a recent system closure in the northeastern region. Wisconsin’s Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program has identified these counties as priority service areas for filling in a contraceptive desert and to coordinated reproductive health care services.
Services are available regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, with insurance billing, Medicaid-supported programs and sliding fee scale options available for eligible individuals.
Additional details regarding service locations, appointment scheduling and community partnerships will be announced in the coming months.
For information, visit healthfirstnetwork.org or call 800-246-5743.
