A Partnership for Better Health
by Annette Pinder
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) has partnered with Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY) to provide mobile clinical services at 608 William Street.
“In March, we made an immediate decision to suspend most clinical services at our 608 William Street location,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “The need for those health services is still present, and our initiative with Planned Parenthood will increase access to family planning and sexual health services for county residents.”
Services provided by PPCWNY are confidential, and offer a sliding scale for payment, with most insurances accepted, including Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care. PPCWNY also participates in the Family Planning Benefit Program for which no one is refused care for the inability to pay.
PPCWNY services available on the Mobile Unit include STI testing and treatment, including Expedited Partner Therapy for chlamydia and gonorrhea; syphilis testing and referral for treatment; annual preventive visit (including Pap); birth control (excluding IUD); breast exams; condoms (free); emergency contraception; HIV testing and counseling; HPV vaccinations; pregnancy testing and options counseling, including referrals for adoption and parenting support; sexual and reproductive health education; referrals to services that support social-emotional and physical health; telemedicine; and urgent visits (UTIs, yeast infection).
“Nothing should get in the way of your sexual and reproductive health, even a pandemic,” said PPCWNY Health Center Manager Robin Meister. “Health care access is a priority for PPCWNY, and in addition to welcoming individuals of all gender identities and sexual orientations, patients who visit our mobile site have access to language services via Language Line.”
The PPCWNY Mobile Unit is funded by The John R. Oishei Foundation, KeyBank in partnership with First Niagara Foundation, and a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
For information about Mobile Unit services, located at 608 Williams Street in Buffalo, please call 716-818-1956. Walk-ins are welcomed. Patients are asked to wear a face mask and follow physical distancing and other COVID-related guidance on site.
