The Nation: Eliminate Co-Pays for Contraception, IOM Report Recommends

[marmar]

Eliminate Co-Pays for Contraception, IOM Report Recommends

Sharon Lerner
July 19, 2011


Under the healthcare reform law, birth control and contraceptive counseling should be fully covered by health plans, according to a much-awaited report released today by the Institute of Medicine. The recommendations come from a panel of medical and public health experts that has been meeting over the past eight months to determine which women’s health services should be considered preventive—and therefore available without a co-pay.

The panel recommends full coverage of eight services, including screening for sexually transmitted diseases and lactation counseling. But the most contentious and closely watched issue has been whether it would recommend that birth control be available at no cost above a monthly premium.

The answer is a clear yes. The report specifies that “the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods should be covered,” going on to list the various options: barrier methods, hormonal methods, emergency contraception, implanted devices, and sterilization. It also recommends full coverage of patient education and counseling for “all women with reproductive capacity.”

If adopted, the recommendations will be a huge win for women, millions of whom are currently unable to afford birth control. Some 30 percent of sexually active low- and middle-income women now put off family planning visits to save money, according to a 2009 survey done by the Guttmacher Institute. Is it any surprise that 49 percent of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned? ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/article/162156/eliminate-co-pays-contraception-iom-report-recommends

[Ilsa]

1. These programs pay for themselves and should be fully covered.

Unwanted pregnancies bring emotional stress, financial strain, and higher risk for complications, all of which can translate into greater use of healthcare dollars.

[canoeist52]

2. All anti-abortionists should get behind this program

as it's been shown to reduce the need for abortions.