A new report is suggesting the FDA remove copays from birth control pills. The Institute of Medicine says free birth control will enhance preventative medicine for women.
According to the report, 49% of all pregnancies in 2001 were unintended; 42% of those unintended pregnancies ended in abortion. The panel working on this report believes unintended pregnancies lead to lower levels of prenatal care, along with other health risks for both mother and baby.
While many insurance plans do cover a majority of contraception costs, the report suggests removing the fees all together would dramatically reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and in turn cut down on the cost of medical care associated with it.
“The elimination of cost sharing for contraception could greatly increase its use, including use of the more effective and longer-acting methods, especially among poor and low-income women most at risk for unintended pregnancy,” the Institute of Medicine said in a news release.
Molly Savenguard, a 29 year old waitress says free birth control would help ease some of her financial burden. “It’s something I absolutely need because there is no way I want a child right now,” she said. “However, the cost of birth control month after month does add up.”
The report also suggests several other services that would alleviate health risks if they were offered for free. Other suggestions include:
*Screenings for gestational diabetes for pregnant women at high risk of developing diabetes.
*DNA testing for the human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer for all women beginning at age 30.
*Yearly counseling on sexually transmitted infections for all sexually active women.
*Yearly HIV counseling and screening for all sexually active women.
*Support for breastfeeding, including counseling and rental costs of breastfeeding equipment.
*Domestic abuse screening and counseling.
*At least one annual checkup to obtain the recommended tests, screenings, and other preventive services.
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