The nation’s obstetricians and gynecologists are calling on the federal government to provide access to free or affordable birth control to all women, especially the poor and those with Obamacare plans that don’t cover birth control services due to religious views.
Stepping into the heated debate over abortion, birth control and Obamacare, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in a new statement dated January 2015 said that if birth control can’t be provided in healthcare plans, then women should be referred to places they can receive it.
“Nearly all U.S. women who have ever had sexual intercourse have used some form of contraception at some point during their reproductive lives. However, multiple barriers prevent women from obtaining contraceptives or using them effectively and consistently. All women should have unhindered and affordable access to all U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives,” said the association’s Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women.
Their “comment” was immediately embraced by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. In a statement, they said, “This should serve as an important reminder to policy makers in Washington and across the country that they can’t have a conversation about creating economic success for women without talking about access to affordable birth control. If policy makers are serious about helping families across America succeed economically, they have to support comprehensive access to affordable birth control.”
Among the recommendations is for providing birth control access to women whose Obamacare plans ban it, such as those run by religious organizations.
For example the group is seeking “easily accessible alternative contraceptive coverage for women who receive health insurance through employers and plans exempted from the contraceptive coverage requirement.”
They also called on religiously-affiliated hospitals to give birth control referrals. Their statement seeks: “Prompt referral to an appropriate health care provider by clinicians, religiously affiliated hospitals, and others who do not provide contraceptive services.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
