‘Low Dose Birth Control’ Dances in the Streets
One Giant Step for Mankind? You were there when it happened.
Margaret Sanger would be dancing in the streets if she had lived to see the giant leap forward in women’s health that has been made this week in the US. Sanger founded the American Birth Control League which became, in 1942, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. This week Planned Parenthood is celebrating Monday’s ruling by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that birth control is now classed as a basic preventative health care service that should NOT attract a co-payment. For a wider perspective, read this great article by the vice president of Planned Parenthood.
Free Birth Control for Women no doubt has the insurers scowling rather than dancing as the IOM (Inst. of Medicine) has recommended to the government that the service also includes:
- improved screening for cervical cancer, counseling for sexually transmitted infections, and counseling and screening for HIV
- a fuller range of contraceptive education, counseling, methods, and services so that women can better avoid unwanted pregnancies and space their pregnancies to promote optimal birth outcomes
- services for pregnant women including screening for gestational diabetes
- lactation counseling and equipment to help women who choose to breastfeed do so successfully
- screening and counseling for all women and adolescent girls for interpersonal and domestic violence in a culturally sensitive and supportive manner
- at least one well-woman preventive care visit annually for women to receive comprehensive services
Some say the service will be effective as soon as August 1st next year, others say 2013. Hallelujah.
Cost Benefits of Free Birth ControlWith almost 50% of US pregnancies unintended, if you’re thinking that this is going to cost the government heaps check these IOM figures out:
- direct medical cost of unintended pregnancy in 2003 was $5 billion
- savings from contraception in 2003 estimated at $19.3 billion
So… insurers- stop scowling -we know you’re going to take a long hard look at our premiums now!
If you want a giggle see Stephen Colbert’s take on this milestone! I like his impression of a dinosaur trying to put on a condom!
