Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) introduced a bill
S 1532 that would require insurance companies to cover oral contraceptives approved by the FDA for over-the-counter (OTC) use.
This is in response to a conservative proposal S 1438 which would waive the typical FDA fee for OTC application. However, it would also gut (repeal) the ACA Act which requires insurance companies to provide contraceptives at no cost (beyond the monthly premium).
The measure effectively would eliminate the ACA's provision that health plans offer contraceptives at no cost, since the law's contraceptive coverage rules apply only to contraceptives that require prescriptions. As a result, insurers under the bill would not have to cover OTC contraception (Women's Health Policy Report, 5/27).
More on the ACA requirement
Source
Follow below the fold for more.
I’m sure S.1438, sponsored by Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) was intended to just force women to have to pay full cost for OTC contraceptives so that insurance companies don’t have to..you know…actually do the right thing!
This is also why her bill would specifically overturn the ACA provision (Public Law 111-148).
(a) No limitations based on whether a drug is prescribed.—Section 9003 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148), and the amendments made by such section, are repealed, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such section, and amendments, had never been enacted.
Senator Kelly Ayotte's views on abortion
I am so sick and tired of so-called pro-life proponents trying to limit women’s right to abortion and contraceptives! And this is especially bad coming from a woman Senator who should know better!
A couple of comments regarding the conservative proposal of Senator Kelly Ayotte:
Murray said of the conservative proposal, "Women shouldn't have to pay out of their own pockets for a critical part of their health care just because their insurance didn't cover it." She added, "I believe strongly that women should be able to get the comprehensive health care they need when they need it, without being charged extra, without asking permission and without politicians interfering."
Similarly, in reference to the conservative proposal, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Cecile Richards said, "Access to birth control doesn't mean much unless it's affordable access. You can make birth control available [OTC], but if it still costs $600 a year, it will be out of reach for many women" (USA Today, 6/9).
Source of quotes
I totally agree with these statements! RW Republicans will do anything they can get away with to try and take control over women's bodies and I'm damned fed up with it!
Of course at least Senator Kelly Ayotte believes in exceptions to allow abortions in the case of rape, incest, and emergency which is certainly more than I can say for many other Republicans.
Update: Link to be Citizen Co-sponsor of Senator Murray's Contraception bill