Contraception could grow to be free for all health programs

A group of powerful health experts made suggestions to the U.S. Department of health Tues. The group suggested that all insurance programs should pay for free birth control for all women. If the suggestion is implemented, it could mean 1 less concern for females attempting to get by in the economic depression. Personal loans would not be required just to keep away from having a baby.

Part of health care

All women that don't have deductibles or co-payments will be subject to whatever decisions are made for health care the White House will decide as part of the new law, called Obamacare. To that end, the administration commissioned the Institute of Medicine group to make suggestions.

Won't necessarily happen

The contraception advice is not the only thing that was recommended. The committee suggested wellness exams, HIV tests, domestic violence counseling and breast pump rentals also all be paid for. With health costs beyond the reach of many, this suggestion could help ease the financial burden on some females, couples and families in our stagnant economy.

It is not necessarily binding. Still, all suggestions will be seriously considered by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Human Health Services.

Controversial suggestions

Several groups might start to debate about the committee suggestions. The Family Research Council, for instance, contends that individuals and groups who have a religious opposition to birth control should not be forced to help fund it with increased insurance premiums.

"This is a question of whether the government should mandate every health plan to cover these drugs free of cost," said Family Research Council's Jeanne Monahan. "Whatever one's position is on the issues of contraceptives, abortifacients and such, it does not matter whether proponents of such drugs do not care about the effect on human embryos. The point is that many Americans do care, and many religious health plans would care, and that they should not be forced to violate their conscience."

Speaking out for women's health

Other groups, however, are hailing the recommendations as a triumph for females nationwide.

"As someone who has worked on women's rights for nearly 30 years, I can say that today's news marks one of the biggest advances for women's health in a generation," said NARAL president Nancy Keenan. "Currently, nearly one in three women finds it difficult to pay for birth control, and that's why the United States has a far higher unintended-pregnancy rate than other industrialized countries. Making family-planning services available at no cost will help millions of women prevent unintended pregnancy and thereby reduce the need for abortion."

Citations

Huffington Post,

Investment Watch

Think Progress