State Reps. Tina Davis, Leanne Krueger-Braneky and Kevin Boyle have proposed a plan to protect access to birth control
By Tom Waring
The Times
State Reps. Tina Davis, Leanne Krueger-Braneky and Kevin Boyle have proposed a plan to protect access to birth control under health insurance coverages in Pennsylvania.
The legislation would require that all state-regulated and self-funded insurance plans in Pennsylvania cover contraceptives and vasectomies. It would further require that plans provide coverage for any prescription or non-prescription method of birth control approved by the FDA.
In addition, it would eliminate most co-payments for birth control and vasectomies; enable women to receive 12 months of birth control at one time; and lift pre-authorizations on intrauterine devices.
On Oct. 6, the Trump administration announced it would roll back the contraceptive coverage requirements within Obamacare. The rollback allows any employer to opt out of providing contraceptive coverage in its health plan based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.
At least 2.5 million women in Pennsylvania depend on this coverage to access affordable, effective contraceptives.
“Government has no business limiting the health care options available to women,” Davis said. “This bill not only protects our right to make our own choices about our bodies, but it sends a message to the federal government that Pennsylvania women will not be hampered by its bad policies. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on this bill, and there should be no reason to hold it up in the General Assembly.” ••
