ASAFET plans to explore transitioning to a direct care delivery model for contraceptive access in East Tennessee. Currently operating as a third-party payer, ASAFET relies on external clinic partners whose capacity is increasingly threatened by legislative instability and systemic healthcare disruptions. Vulnerable populations—including single parents, rural residents, and low-income individuals—face growing barriers to affordable, preventive reproductive healthcare.

This project will evaluate the feasibility of ASAFET providing direct care services by hiring or leveraging volunteer family planning providers from ASAFET’s existing network. This shift would enable ASAFET to serve uninsured and underinsured clients directly, reducing dependency on an unstable external healthcare network. The ultimate goal is to improve equitable access to care for underserved populations throughout our regional service area.