Birth Control Free for All: New Insurance Rules Affect Millions of Women

[thundley4]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced sweeping new guidelines for women's health care which will change everything from distribution of birth control pills to administration of breast exams -- and will mean insured women will no longer pay anything out of their own pocket.

Beginning Aug. 1, 2012, all private insurance plans will be required to cover women's preventive services without a co-pay or deductible. The move is intended to help women have the chance to stop health problems before they start.

"We know that half of women, according to studies, forego or delay preventive care because they can't afford it and under the affordable care act that all changes," Stephanie Cutter, a White House advisor, told ABC News.

Beginning one year from today will be co-pay or deductible-free well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, breast-feeding support, domestic violence screening and all FDA approved birth control methods -- including emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill.

ABC News

If the government can force insurance companies to cover this where does it end on what services or products that companies can be forced to provide?

[CG6468]

Isn't this blatant sexism? What about men? Viagra is about $20/tablet.

[debk]

Isn't this blatant sexism? What about men? Viagra is about $20/tablet.

It's been "blatant sexism" for years, in favor of men.


It's about damn time BC pills are covered under health insurance, as they never have been.

Viagra is, and always has been. Yes, there is a co-pay, but it's still been significantly covered.

Penile implants are also covered - breast implants aren't.

[NHSparky]

It's been "blatant sexism" for years, in favor of men.


It's about damn time BC pills are covered under health insurance, as they never have been.

Viagra is, and always has been. Yes, there is a co-pay, but it's still been significantly covered.

Penile implants are also covered - breast implants aren't.

Not under my health insurance, it isn't.

[CG6468]

Not under my health insurance, it isn't.

Nor mine.