Bozeman’s Bridger Clinic Changes Name: Bridgercare

In our continuing commitment to serve an expanding client base, we have adopted a new name, Bridgercare. We believe this reflects our comprehensive mission, which is to provide excellent, affordable reproductive and sexual healthcare and education, in a safe, supportive atmosphere. The new name is also a nice, fresh update as we carry our work forward into the 21st century.

The bad news: After 39 years of service as a non-profit clinic, Bridgercare’s state funding was completely stripped by Montana’s House of Representatives and 6% of the federal funding was stripped in Washington D.C. This will result in $100,900 less funding as the Bridgercare enters it’s next fiscal year. The cuts, which also affected Planned Parenthoods across Montana, do not reflect broader public opinion. Without access to affordable family planning, unintended pregnancy rates for low-income Montanans will increase, because poverty impedes access to contraception. Increased family size, when not desired or planned for, can deepen poverty rates and reliance on public assistance.

Who we are and why Bridgercare is important:

• Bridgercare is the largest Title X family planning center in Montana.

• Bridgercare is the only family planning clinic in south central Montana providing care regardless of ability to pay.

• 74% of our patients receive free care or reduced fees.

• Last year, we provided services to over 5,700 patients, and education to over 3,800 individuals, 1,900

of whom were teens.

• Birth control for one woman for one year at Bridgercare costs $166. The cost to Montana Medicaid for

a pregnancy, delivery, and the first year of an infant’s medical care is $12,257. Last year, 44% of pregnancies

in Montana were unintended and 35% of births were paid for by Montana Medicaid, and ultimately taxpayers.

• In this time of tight state and federal budgets, continued investments made to strengthen the Title X system

will pay hefty social and financial dividends.

• If Gallatin County were to see a decrease or loss of family planning services, over-burdened and under-funded agencies like Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Community Health Partners, and the Health Department

would experience an even greater case load.

Despite the deep cuts to our funding, we will continue to provide services on a sliding fee scale to men and

women regardless of ability to pay. “Subsidized family planning is a public-policy trifecta: it reduces the prevalence of abortion, it saves tax dollars, and it improves the lives of children and families,” said Stephanie McDowell, Associate Director, Bridgercare. “Bridgercare has been committed to serving Bozeman and surrounding communities since 1972 and will continue to do so, despite recent funding cuts.”

For more information about services and education offered, visit us online at www.bridgercare.org.