Contraception could be free under health care law

[marieelissa]

 Fifty years after the pill, another birth control revolution may be on the horizon: free contraception for women in the U.S., thanks to the new health care law.

That could start a shift toward more reliable — and expensive — forms of birth control that are gaining acceptance in other developed countries.

But first, look for a fight over social mores.

A panel of experts advising the government meets in November to begin considering what kind of preventive care for women should be covered at no cost to the patient, as required under President Barack Obama's overhaul.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., author of the women's health amendment, says the clear intent was to include family planning.

But is birth control preventive medicine?

Conflicting answers frame what could be the next clash over moral values and a health law that passed only after a difficult compromise restricting the use of public money for abortions.

For many medical and public health experts, there's no debate.

A major research study now taking place in St. Louis provides a glimpse of how things might change.

The Contraceptive CHOICE Project is providing free birth control to as many as 10,000 women, tracking their decisions and the results. About 70 percent have chosen long-acting contraceptives such as IUDs (intrauterine devices) or implants, which are reversible and have a much lower failure rate than pills or condoms. The proportion of U.S. women using such methods remains low; part of the reason seems to be higher upfront cost.

"The shift we need to see in the United States is a shift away from methods like the pill and condoms to the most effective methods, like implants and IUDs," said Dr. Jeffrey Peipert, a principal investigator on the study. "And we'll only see that shift if somebody is willing to pay for it."

How the Obama administration will apply the law remains to be seen. It could allow insurance plans wide discretion on meeting the coverage requirement. A panel convened by the Institute of Medicine will hold its first meeting Nov. 16 to begin work on recommendations to HHS. The department has until next August to make its decision.

[amyrouse]

Its about time!  Although, honestly, I will be quite surprised if it really happens.  Many health insurance plans still continue to deny coverage for the pill or other contraceptives.  I lobbied for EPICC back in 2001, and the opposition amazed me.  I suppose that we'll get more coverage for birth control and less for *bleep* when there are no more crusty old men in Congress... I'm just jesting here. 

[Cuppycake]

It has been free through the health department anyway but most people don't bother to find that out. Pushing IUDs is a bad idea as they can cause serious health problems...

[jordandog]

It has been free through the health department anyway but most people don't bother to find that out. Pushing IUDs is a bad idea as they can cause serious health problems...

Many health departments across the U.S. will give women under 18 free birth control pills following a health exam, including a PAP. This is NOT true for all and most use the sliding fee scale based on income. There are also many women who do not have access to a county/local health department because of where they live, transportation, etc. I think it is important to remember that most who need this fall into the lower income bracket, otherwise they would have the money and/or health insurance.

[amyrouse]

It has been free through the health department anyway but most people don't bother to find that out. Pushing IUDs is a bad idea as they can cause serious health problems...

I've had an IUD for over two years now... I use Mirena.  Not all IUD's cause serious health problems.

Birth control is still denied for many, and many health departments and colleges view birth control as handing out condoms.

I believe, personally, that providing BC for free is only a step to fixing the problem, as it is not common for schools to provide anything but abstinence only sex education.  Giving out pills or a condom isn't going to do much good if they are not utilized properly.

[bschumacher]

That would be wonderful. Even though the pill, Norplant, condoms, etc are legal, there are still too many unwanted kids who wind up being abused and/or burdens. Worst of all, accidental pregnancies often lead to abortions. Every child should be a wanted child.

[amyrouse]

Every child should be a wanted child.

Ah...I've heard that one before!  Seems we're kindred, bschumacher!

[Cuppycake]

It has been free through the health department anyway but most people don't bother to find that out. Pushing IUDs is a bad idea as they can cause serious health problems...

Many health departments across the U.S. will give women under 18 free birth control pills following a health exam, including a PAP. This is NOT true for all and most use the sliding fee scale based on income. There are also many women who do not have access to a county/local health department because of where they live, transportation, etc. I think it is important to remember that most who need this fall into the lower income bracket, otherwise they would have the money and/or health insurance.

They ALWAYS have a box of condoms in little brown bags that ANYONE can get...

[amyrouse]

It has been free through the health department anyway but most people don't bother to find that out. Pushing IUDs is a bad idea as they can cause serious health problems...

Many health departments across the U.S. will give women under 18 free birth control pills following a health exam, including a PAP. This is NOT true for all and most use the sliding fee scale based on income. There are also many women who do not have access to a county/local health department because of where they live, transportation, etc. I think it is important to remember that most who need this fall into the lower income bracket, otherwise they would have the money and/or health insurance.

They ALWAYS have a box of condoms in little brown bags that ANYONE can get...

Too bad that so many people do not know how to use a condom properly.

[dell9031]

I totally agree with Cuppy cake   This is nothing new other than more federal dollars are going to be used to duplicate and tretread something that was already paid for.