Oregon Law Requiring Birth Control Coverage Now In Effect

[ismnotwasm]

"An Oregon law that mandates all health insurance plans in the state include prescription drug coverage, including birth control, went into effect this week. The law also requires hospitals to inform victims of sexual assault about emergency contraception and make it available if the patient wishes, according to the Daily Women’s Health Policy Report.

The bill, which had bipartisan support, was signed into law by Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski (D) in May. The provision on contraceptives could affect as many as 1.4 million women who are covered by private insurance, as about half of insurers in the state did not cover birth control."
http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=10743

From the Oregonian article;

"Prescription plans must include the pill"

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1199161500105830.xml&coll=7&thispage=2

"Emergency contraceptive pills, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 percent. They contain hormones found in birth control pills and prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and fertilization.

Nancy Bennett, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette, said her organization has supported health insurance birth control coverage since 1993.

"We were pushing for it because we believe women should have access to birth control. It's just basic health care for women," Bennett said. "Women are paying way more out of pocket for their health care than they should be."


http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1199161500105830.xml&coll=7&thispage=2


Yay Oregon!!!:yourock: :loveya:

[ThomCat]

1. That's awesome! Are they the first state to have

mandates for access to birth control? I haven't heard about this before.

:woohoo:

I hope this spreads to other states!

[smokey nj]

2. Way to go Oregon!!!!