Health Quarters Timeline - A Retrospective

1970

Congress passes Title X legislation. The Public Health Service Act provides family planning services for low-income women.

1971

Health Quarters is incorporated — known as the North Shore Regional Family Planning Council (NSRFPC).

1971-73

NSRFPC centers open at hospitals in Beverly, Lynn and Malden.

1972

U.S. Supreme Court extends the right to use contraceptives to single people. Congress requires all states participating in Medicaid to cover family planning services.

1973

Roe v. Wade — U.S. Supreme Court upholds a woman’s right to choose abortion.

1973-76

NSRFPC centers open in Stoneham, Gloucester & Salem. Nearly a dozen volunteer doctors deliver services at all six centers.

1977

Congress amends Title X to emphasize the importance of serving teenage population.

Pilot program for sexuality education is launched in Lynn.

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down New York statute that prohibits sale or distribution of contraceptives to minors (under age 16) as unconstitutional.

1980

Volunteer physicians need to cut back their services. Nurses are trained as nurse practitioners through federally-funded programs to ensure continuity of medical services.

1982

Reagan administration issues “Squeal Rule” requiring Title X family planning centers to notify parents before dispensing contraceptives to teens.

Title X funding is cut by one-quarter.

1983

Council purchases house at 19 Broadway in Beverly and relocates medical clinic and administrative offices.

“Squeal Rule” is struck down in national case — National Family Planning and Reproductive health Association v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

1985

NSRFPC centers begin moving out of hospitals into community locations.

1986

Agency officially changes its name from NSRFPC to Health Quarters.

1987

Reagan administration initiates the “Gag Rule” prohibiting Title X funded clinics from counseling clients about the option of abortion.

Health Quarters becomes first provider of AIDS testing and counseling services on the North Shore.

1991

U.S. Supreme Court finds the “Gag Rule” is constitutional.

National controversy over Gag Rule compliance dominates family planning centers. Funding freeze leads to closing of Salem clinic.

1993

President Clinton reverses Title X family planning “Gag Rule.”

1994

Federal funding makes it possible to expand services to the Merrimack Valley — health centers are established in Lowell and Lawrence.

1995

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services research reveals that 60% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended.

1996

Vasectomy services are established as an affordable option at Health Quarters.

1997

State Departmentof Public Health designates the Lynn center as the STD clinic for the North Shore.

1998

Community education is expanded to address parent-child communication, male involvement in pregnancy prevention , body image, and self-esteem.

1999

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention cites family planning in the top 10 public health achievements in the country.

Federal funding level for family planning is 60% lower than twenty years ago.

Health Quarters’ reliance on federal funding is at 43%; state funding at 35%. The commitment is made to keep services affordable for patients.

2000

National Academy of Science reports STDs have become epidemic in the U.S. : 15 million cases, 4 million among teens. Cost to U.S. is $17 billion each year.

Board develops capital reserve and endowment fund.

CDC reports more than 25% of new HIV infections in the U.S. are contracted by teenagers.

Education program delivers services to 13,000 via 120 community partners in 30 communities.

2001

CDC reports over 75% of high school students have had sexual intercourse by grade 12.

Health Quarters’ strategic plan for 2001-2005 is implemented. The focus is on reducing unintended pregnancies and STDs (including HIV) by promoting dialogue that leads to respectful and safe relationships.