Millions of women may soon gain free access to a broad menu of birth control methods, thanks to a recommendation issued Tuesday by health experts advising the government, The Associated Press reports.
An Institute of Medicine panel recommended that the government require health insurance companies to cover birth control for women as a preventive service, without copayments. Contraception — along with such care as diabetes tests during pregnancy and screening for the virus that causes cervical cancer — was one of eight recommended preventive services for women.
The law already requires most health plans to provide standard preventive care for people of both sexes at no additional charge to patients, but the women’s health recommendations were considered so sensitive that the nonpartisan institute was asked to examine the issue and report back. The IOM advises the government on complex issues related to medical science and health care policy.
Other preventive services recommended by the IOM panel include: HIV screening; support for breast- feeding mothers, including the cost of renting pumps; counseling about sexually transmitted infections; screening for domestic violence and at least one “well-woman” preventive care visit annually.
