A Victory For American Women: Free Contraception!

After having to dish out co-payments and deductibles for many years, American women finally have a reason to celebrate.

Recently, Institute of Medicine (IOM) health experts issued a recommendation to the government pushing health insurance companies to fully cover birth control, among other health services for women. Well, it’s now a done deal. Contraceptives for women with health insurance will be fully covered.

The new guidelines will mean that women won’t have to pay a cent up front for preventative health services. It will also “change everything from distribution of birth control pills to administration of breast exams.”

Although the changes won’t take effect until August 2012, significant services like “well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, breast-feeding support, domestic violence screening and all FDA approved birth control methods” will be offered. As a result, women will have the “chance to stop health problems before they start.”

Many people are worried about insurance premiums going up, but when it comes to women’s health, don’t the benefits outweigh the costs?

Authorities are also hopeful that free contraception for women will lower the amount of unplanned pregnancies and decrease teen pregnancies as well as abortions. With these positive outcomes on the horizon, taxpayers can rest assured that their money won’t be wasted. It’s very possible that it could in fact save them money.

In any case, these are essential services for women. It’s been a long time coming, but we can now rejoice the next chapter in women’s health care in the US!

Contact the author here: tinybart@morningquickie.com