HHS announces new guidelines for women's preventive services

The rule includes everything from distribution of birth control pills to administration of breast exams. Ultimately, women will no longer pay out of pocket for preventive services. However, Politico reports that the Department of Health and Human Services may include a "conscience clause" in the regulation.

ABC News: Birth Control Free For All: New Insurance Rules Affect Millions
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced sweeping new guidelines for women's health care which will change everything from distribution of birth control pills to administration of breast exams - and will mean insured women will no longer pay anything out of their own pocket. Beginning Aug. 1, 2012, all private insurance plans will be required to cover women's preventive services without a co-pay or deductible. The move is intended to help women have the chance to stop health problems before they start (Alfonsi, 8/1).

Politico: HHS Weighs Conscience Clause
The Obama administration is debating the inclusion of a conscience clause that would allow some insurers not to cover contraception on religious grounds, Politico has learned. HHS is expected to announce its adoption of Institute of Medicine recommendations on what preventive services for women must be covered under the Affordable Care Act. Internal disagreements over the issue have caused an announcement of the administration's position to be delayed more than once this week, according to sources knowledgeable about the planning of the event who said it was first slated for Tuesday (Feder, 7/29).