New birth control guidelines in U.S.

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDAug 1 2011

Planned parenting groups are cheering while some religious organizations are unhappy with the move that would require health insurance companies to provide women free birth control, in keeping with new Obama administration guidelines. The Department of Health and Human Services call it “historic” and also say that insurance companies must provide women with other preventive services free of charge.

Monday's new guidelines follow the recent advice from an independent panel of doctors and health experts at the Institute of Medicine, which recommended last month that all approved contraception methods - including the “morning-after pill” - be provided without requiring co-pays. The panel’s recommendations were supported by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and opposed by conservative organizations that argued against the use of tax dollars to cover birth control.

In a statement, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops opposes the new guidelines, saying, “Pregnancy is not a disease, and fertility is not a pathological condition to be suppressed by any means technically possible.” But women's rights advocates say the benefits of free birth control go beyond preventing pregnancy.

“Today is a historic victory for women's health and women across the country,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Covering birth control without co-pays is one of the most important steps we can take to prevent unintended pregnancy and keep women and children healthy.”

But Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, said Monday's decision may result in increasing the cost of coverage for consumers. Though AHIP supports evidence-based preventive services, Ignagni warns the recommendations would “broaden the scope of mandated preventive services beyond existing evidence-based guidelines, suspend current cost-sharing arrangements for certain services, and encourage consumers to obtain a prescription for routine supplies that are currently purchased over-the-counter.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need.” The new rules will include screening for gestational diabetes, HP virus screening in prevention of cervical cancer and support and counseling for breastfeeding and prevention of sexually-transmitted infections.

The guidelines would take effect Aug. 1, 2012.