An advisory panel for the
Obama administration called for free coverage with no deductible or
co-payment for a full range of women’s health treatments, such as
prescription birth control, including emergency contraception, breast
pump rentals, counseling for domestic violence and annual wellness
exams, including HPV and HIV screenings.
While non-binding, the
National Academy of Science’s Institute of Medicine panel’s
report comes at the request of Health and Human Services Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius as part of last year’s health care law. Sebelius
called the committee’s work “historic … [and] based on the
existing science and literature.” HHS is expected follow the
panel’s recommendations closely, releasing its own recommendations
by Aug. 1.
The health care law
requires the Obama administration to set guidelines for what health
insurance plans must cover without deductible. Removing the cost
barrier to birth control would be a positive step for women’s
health, particularly in light of the recent defunding of such
providers as Planned Parenthood.
