Health Insurers May Soon Offer Contraceptives at No Extra Cost
A little publicized amendment in the healthcare reform bill would require new insurance plans to cover the entire cost of a wide range of preventative health services. Many women’s health advocates think that contraception should be one of the services completely covered, as the high cost of contraception is one of the major reasons for unplanned pregnancies. Proponents maintain that planned pregnancies lead to healthier babies and healthier mothers, reducing health care costs. Further, reducing the number of annual unplanned pregnancies reduces abortions, a goal for pro-choice and pro-life activists. The debate, which is expected to peak in September when the law goes into effect, will hinge on these arguments versus those of anti-abortion activists who believe that contraceptives that can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting are actually abortive agents. (Source: Washington Post and Salon.com)
|
