Obama Administration approves rule that essentially guarantees universal contraceptive coverage

[Bolo Boffin]

From ThinkProgress:

Today, in a huge victory for women’s health, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that most employers will be required to cover contraception in their health plans, along with other preventive services, with no cost-sharing such as co-pays or deductibles. This means that after years of trying to get birth control covered to the same extent that health plans cover Viagra, our country will finally have nearly universal coverage of contraception.

Opponents of contraception had lobbied hard for a broad exemption that would have allowed any religiously-affiliated employer to opt out of providing such coverage. Fortunately, the Obama administration rejected that push and decided to maintain the narrow religious exemption that it initially proposed. Only houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of the same faith will be exempt. Religiously-affiliated employers who do not qualify for the exemption and are not currently offering contraceptive coverage may apply for transitional relief for a one-year period to give them time to determine how to comply with the rule.

Remember Mittens, all aghast, puzzled that contraception would be so controversial? He's probably already screaming about it at some fundraiser right now.

Big news, big news!

[montanacowboy]

1. Sanctimonius Santorum

will be flipping out -

[peace frog]

4. If the wingnuts scream about it, you know Obama has done something right

Well done.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Thank goodness!

[kenfrequed]

3. Good news comes in small nuggets

But it is much appreciated in any event. Kudos mr President.

[arcane1]

5. It seems like lots of good news this morning

I could get used to this

[DemonSpawn]

6. HELL YEAH!!!

GOBAMA! YES WE DID!

[corkhead]

7. More 3D chess

This will be a great issue to debate during the campaign this summer. Bring it on!

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. "other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of the same faith will be exempt"

I hope that means hospitals run by religious denominations are not exempt, because they typically serve the general community.

[Bolo Boffin]

12. I think hospitals like that are exactly what is meant

And Salvation Army donation/sales centers, and Operation Effing Rescue employees, and Focus on the Family...

This is about their employees' health insurance plans, not emergency contraceptives and the like. But it's a start.

[msanthrope]

32. It means that if the Archdiocese runs a hospital, they have to provide it.

If they are running a parish hall that primarily employs only Catholics, and serves only Catholics, they don't.

[AllyCat]

9. Love that Viagra is mentioned. Why men should get Viagra with no strings attached

and women have to fight for contraception at every turn has always evaded me. They say "sex not for procreation is bad" but apparently, that rule only applies to women.

[Tumbulu]

18. Well stated- I agree (nt)

[Igel]

55. Two points.

First, if men have sex using Viagra (or women, for that matter), who says it can't be for procreation. (Yes, that's an implication of what you said, not just an inference. You own it.)

Second, impotence is a psychological problem for men. If some women are impotent, by all means, they should have insurance coverage because it's for the same reason.

People are strange. They insist on looking at motivation and process when it suits them; then when they have only one particular consequence in mind, motivation and process are utterly irrelevant. (Just another way of saying, "Hey, everybody has to do as I say. I'm the Decider, and the rest of you--unless you agree with me--are cockroaches.&quot

Bad mood. Poorly put. Still valid, so let's not bother with any trivial and self-trivializing ad hominem fallacy.

[AllyCat]

63. And some might.

So if men might have sex using viagra for procreation, the whole issue is fine for them to have coverage of the medication, even though I would guess most don't. Women who might NOT have babies because of birth control must pay through the teeth for coverage for medication, even if they are only using it to keep from bleeding to death or some other reason not related to procreation.

Of course, procreation is all a bunch of crap. Because we are sexual beings and happen to have babies as a result of it, does not mean that women should be blocked at every turn for the same coverage that men get without question.

[yardwork]

10. Good work. Another reminder of why electing Democrats is best.

[dennis4868]

11. who cares...

We didn't get the public option (sarcasicm).

[Fearless]

13. Good. Now if we can get universal health coverage....

Then the most needy can partake.

[ProSense]

14. Planned Parenthood Applauds HHS for Ensuring Access to Affordable Birth Control

Planned Parenthood Applauds HHS for Ensuring Access to Affordable Birth Control

Decision Based on Sound Medicine

Planned Parenthood Federation of America applauds the decision by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to ensure access to affordable birth control, and not further expand the refusal provision to the birth control coverage benefit under the Affordable Care Act.

This decision is grounded in sound medical science and health policy and protects access to affordable birth control for millions of women, including women who are employed by a religiously affiliated hospital, university, or other religiously affiliated organization that serves the broader public.

“Birth control is not just basic health care for women, it is an economic concern,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This common sense decision means that millions of women, who would otherwise pay $15 to $50 a month, will have access to affordable birth control, helping them save hundreds of dollars each year.”

In July 2011, the respected, nonpartisan Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended birth control be covered as a women’s preventive service because it is fundamental to improving women’s health and the health of their families. Increased access to birth control is directly linked to declines in maternal and infant mortality, as well as other health benefits and positive health outcomes. Among other things, birth control can protect women against debilitating symptoms of endometriosis and can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

“Doctors and public health experts agree that increased access to birth control is not only one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancies, it also improves health outcomes for women and their families,” said Richards.

- more -

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/planned-parenthood-applauds-hhs-ensuring-access-affordable-birth-control-38582.htm

Thank President Obama for standing strong for women's health
https://secure.ppaction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=14005&s_src=whrefusalthanks_0112_c3_fb

[toddwv]

15. Excellent.

Thank you President Obama for taking this stance on such an important issue.

[The Stranger]

16. Yes, Thank God.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

17. But, but, but...he has NO moral compass!! In all seriousness...

this is a HUGE victory for myself and for women all over the country. Many of us take BC for various health reasons unrelated to contraception or family planning. These meds are incredibly expensive, too, so to have coverage--just like the men get Viagra--is just wonderful, wonderful news!!

GOBAMA 2012!!!!

[vaberella]

29. Amen. I am a PCOS sufferer. I need Yasmine in order to manage my hormone levels.

60 a pop is not fun.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

41. I suffer from the same condition and take BC for it. I haven't felt this good in years!

[vaberella]

56. Yup yup. Helps with toning down the hair growth in unwanted places. n/t

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

62. Will I lose my hair? Gain weight?

[vaberella]

65. No no. Not at all.

My doctor prescribes the birth control with spironolactone. And because I'm border line diabetic I take metformin.

But the birth control controls your hormone level. What happens with PCOS is that we produce a lot of male hormones which means a few of us have beards (I am one of them, my mother and even my sister has a few sprigs). Others of us have back hair and so on. Also with the male hormones that means at times no period or extremely painful ones. I had the no period, my sister had the extremely painful ones.

When we get our hormones balanced the hair growth actually lessens over time. I though you might have experienced unwanted hair growth, hence my statement. You'll have hair in the necessary places and shouldn't face a problem with losing hair. It's if you have something like a beard or back hair you'll notice that go away or lessen a great deal.

As for weight gain...nada. PCOS is directly related to diabetes---meaning we're most at risk for type 2 diabetes if we aren't careful. I'm on the edge so I take the meds for diabetics and suffer from many symptoms but I am not a diabetic officialy. So most women when diagnosed with PCOS actually do have a weigh problem. But that's due to the increase in male hormones. Once we get that sorted out and eat a healthy diet weightloss should be imminent--if you have a weight problem.

HTH,
V

[Tumbulu]

19. Wonderful- thank goodness!

[Politicub]

20. What a refreshing contrast to all of the GOP craziness

Change we can believe in!

[stonecutter357]

21. K&R...

[tammywammy]

22. So the next time I refill my birth control it'll be free?

Edited to add: Nevermind. I see employers like mine, non-religious, have until August this year to comply.

[frazzled]

25. Do you always try to find the turd in the punchbowl?

Isn't a breakthrough law that begins six months from now better than none at all?

I never can fathom the seeming need to greet good news with the infernal "but."

[tammywammy]

36. First, I wasn't being a "turd in the punchbowl"

I was asking a question and then found the answer myself and updated it accordingly (so that if anyone else was wondering they'd know the answer too). I didn't say anything negative about it, since it would be awesome to not have to pay the $55 for three months of birth control that I currently pay. Sometimes people posting facts is just posting facts.

I thank you in advance for your forthcoming apology for assuming something about me when I didn't write anything negative.

[frazzled]

38. I am sorry, but you know how the Internet makes things sound ...

snarkier than they are.

I truly apologize for thinking you were complaining that the program wouldn't start immediately.

[Quantess]

23. Now Santorum is going to say something about Christians rights being trampled upon.

Because when other people use contraceptives, it threatens his marriage. Or something like that.

[deacon]

24. He doesn't hate women like the GOP does. n/t

[JDPriestly]

26. This is a big boost for women's health. It will mean healthier women, healthier babies

and happier families. Great.

If a woman is strong enough and healthy enough to have lots of children, and if she wants a big family, good for her. But most of us really don't have the strength or the health to have one child after the other.

This is one of the best things that the Obama administration has done.

[vaberella]

27. I remember when DU2 was rampant with people who wanted the Health Bill to fail.

Eat this...

Thank for this Mr. President and Ms. Sebelius.

[msanthrope]

33. I remember when the same people claimed he was gonna cave to the Catholic bishops on this...nt

[vaberella]

58. Yeah...I saw that same statement down thread. n/t

[eridani]

28. Thank heavens!

Been answering lobbying solicitations from just about every reproductive rights group there is. Glad it had some effect. Thanks, Mr. President!

[progressoid]

30. Rec.

[msanthrope]

31. Wait, I thought PBO was gonna cave to the Catholic Bishops?????? I was told I'd better believe it.

Guess not.

[JNelson6563]

43. "Better (not) believe it...."

When you insert the "not" in there the posts tend to make more sense.

Julie--posting helpful PSAs

[hifiguy]

34. Credit where credit is due.

This is the right decision, and a sound, just one. Well done.

[Sheepshank]

35. Why...this is the first I've heard of such a thing?

why hasn't DU discussed this particuar possibility ad nauseum as they have other more 'negative' bills?

A big woo hoo to Obama on this one.

Let the ignoring of the passage of this bill, by the Obama critics begin in 3, 2, 1.......................

[Deep13]

37. So for those with insurance--not universal.

I'm glad to hear it, but again the poor get left out.

[cliffordu]

39. FOOKIN' PERFECT.

Let's start by illustrating the VERY REAL differences in reproductive rights.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

40. {{{{{{{President Obama}}}}}}}}

What's good for women is good for the world!

What's good for women is also good for business and society as a whole according to Catalyst's latest report, conducted with researchers from Harvard Business School.

[JNelson6563]

42. I can hardly tell him apart from Bush. Why bother voting?

[Warren DeMontague]

44. EXCELLENT.

[awoke_in_2003]

45. K&R. nt

[Heddi]

46. I have a question that I couldn't answer by reading the article

does this mean that BC will be free?

My health insurance has tiered prescription pricing, depending on if it's generic, name brand, or super name brand (?). My nuva-ring is $40 a month, same as all the other super-name-brand Rx's.

I couldn't tell by reading this, but based on some people's replies above, does this mean my BC will be free? Or lower cost? I think it's ridiculous to pay $40 a month for a stupid jelly bracelet that I wear on my cervix, but whatever. I'm happy to have health insurance, I like my BC and I can afford to pay it, so it's not that big of a deal to *me* (I understand, however, that not every woman/family has the money to spend $40 on birth control, hence my question)

So will this change the pricing structure of my Rx plan through my insurance? If no one knows, can I be pointed to a place where I could find out. I'm curious.

Thanks!

[Bolo Boffin]

47. "no cost-sharing such as co-pays or deductibles"

The contraceptive will not be free, but the insurance company will be the one paying. No cost sharing on contraceptives is allowed. So to my eye, that means you will not pay at the counter. The cost is spread out over the number of premium payers.

[Heddi]

48. Nice!

I remember when I got in the pill for the first time, roughly 1992 or 1993, even when I wan't getting it at the free clinic it was $5 a month. then it went up to $10 or $15 (without insurance).

Once I got insurance (early 2000s) the pill was suddenly $25-35 a month with insurance. DepoShots were $40, but that was once every 3 months. Now my NuvaRing is $40 a fucking month. Again, I can afford it so I'm not complaining for *me*, but $40 a month is a lot for a lot of people.

That will be nice if it become much more low cost, even better if free!

Thanks for the info, btw

[HarryPowell]

49. Way To Go

Obama scores a big one for all of us.

Women should have had this long ago. And a lot more.

"if men got pregnant, abortion would have been legalized 5,000 years ago." Richard Pryor

[TheMadMonk]

50. Almost the begining of a good start. Let's see him...

...guarantee actual access.

- Put a stop to pharmacists inserting their religious beliefs into dispensing.

[Son of Gob]

53. Nope, not there, a little farther, no keep going, emmm Okay Stop.

That's good. For now.

[vaberella]

57. What the hell do you want? Obama to police every pharmacist in this country<;

You make no sense. And this is a law so that would guarantee access...anyone not following the law would mean breaking it and normally that deals with a fine or jail time.

[TheMadMonk]

59. No this law ONLY guarantees FINANCIAL coverage.

Pharmacists in many (all?) states remain free to choose not to dispense approved medicines, soley on the basis of their personal religious beliefs.

Mostly this bunfight has been over emergency contraceptives. However there have been a few cases brought to our attention here on DU of Roman Catholic pharmacists refusing to dispense the pill as well.

Combine with the principles of "managed care" and it's very possible that some will find themselves in the position of having coverage, but no nearby pharmacies on their insurer's "approved" list carrying the product.

[vaberella]

60. Then please tell me how you expect Obama to police that?

Because I can see one too many dramas erupting over that. I would personally just go to another pharmacist. Or get my prescriptions done online which is available.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

61. I didn't even have to go to the link to rebut your claim---

It's right there in the OP:

Opponents of contraception had lobbied hard for a broad exemption that would have allowed any religiously-affiliated employer to opt out of providing such coverage. Fortunately, the Obama administration rejected that push and decided to maintain the narrow religious exemption that it initially proposed. Only houses of worship and other religious nonprofits that primarily employ and serve people of the same faith will be exempt. Religiously-affiliated employers who do not qualify for the exemption and are not currently offering contraceptive coverage may apply for transitional relief for a one-year period to give them time to determine how to comply with the rule.

You're saying that pharmacists will still be able to refuse service to customers, soooooo, according to the above, that would mean....... pharmacists who are employed in churches. Or nonprofit christofascist hospitals/drugstores that only serve christofascists.

[Snarkoleptic]

51. Meanwhile in South Carolina, Santorum is quietly humming "Every Sperm is Sacred" by Monty Python

DAD:
There are Jews in the world.
There are Buddhists.
There are Hindus and Mormons, and then
There are those that follow Mohammed, but
I've never been one of them.

I'm a Roman Catholic,
And have been since before I was born,
And the one thing they say about Catholics is:
They'll take you as soon as you're warm.

You don't have to be a six-footer.
You don't have to have a great brain.
You don't have to have any clothes on. You're
A Catholic the moment Dad came,

Because

Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

CHILDREN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.

GIRL:
Let the heathen spill theirs
On the dusty ground.
God shall make them pay for
Each sperm that can't be found.

CHILDREN:
Every sperm is wanted.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.

MUM:
Hindu, Taoist, Mormon,
Spill theirs just anywhere,
But God loves those who treat their
Semen with more care.

MEN:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
WOMEN:
If a sperm is wasted,...
CHILDREN:
...God get quite irate.

PRIEST:
Every sperm is sacred.
BRIDE and GROOM:
Every sperm is good.
NANNIES:
Every sperm is needed...
CARDINALS:
...In your neighbourhood!

CHILDREN:
Every sperm is useful.
Every sperm is fine.
FUNERAL CORTEGE:
God needs everybody's.
MOURNER #1:
Mine!
MOURNER #2:
And mine!
CORPSE:
And mine!

NUN:
Let the Pagan spill theirs
O'er mountain, hill, and plain.
HOLY STATUES:
God shall strike them down for
Each sperm that's spilt in vain.

EVERYONE:
Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is good.
Every sperm is needed
In your neighbourhood.

Every sperm is sacred.
Every sperm is great.
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite iraaaaaate!

[iandhr]

52. I thought is was going to bend over for the catholic bishops. Good job Mr. President.

[The Wielding Truth]

54. Thank you, Kathleen Sebelius and the Obama administration!

[truthisfreedom]

64. I'm nauseous from the smell of freepy heads exploding.

What a move, Mr President! GOBAMA!