SUPPORT SB 586: An Act Expanding Mandated Health Benefits For Women, Children and Adolescents

We urge legislators to do what they can to mitigate the harm that is expected to result from continued threats of Congressional action or Administrative rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through regulatory changes, in coming months. Despite the failure of the American Health Care Act to repeal the ACA completely, coverage could be dismantled. Women should have this right to health care regardless of action in D.C.

Protect the Women’s Preventive Services in the Affordable Care Act

• SB 586 will preserve women’s access to contraception and other preventive health services with no out of pocket cost, in the state, which is essential to women’s health and well-being. This proactive policy measure will guarantee one of the key benefits for women’s health care in the ACA.
• Under the Women’s Health Amendment of the ACA, most private insurance plans, including employer plans, must fully cover the costs of what are known as “women’s preventive services”. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an arm of Department of Health and Human Services, defines which preventive services are covered. These regulatory requirements could be attacked, including reducing or eliminating coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptives.

The ACA has improved healthcare access and quality in Connecticut.

• The CT uninsured rate in 2015 was at 6% –one of the lowest in the country.
• More than 55 million women, including 746,444 of Connecticut women, have gained access to no-copay birth control in the private insurance market, and approximately 16.7 million women benefit from Medicaid coverage, which also covers birth control at no cost.
• Out-of-pocket costs for birth control can cost a woman up to $600 per year. This is unaffordable for those who are struggling to make ends meet.

Senate Bill 586 will ensure the protection of preventive health care benefits, including contraception, with no cost sharing or co-pays. This bill sends a strong statement to women and families that CT will provide access to preventive health care, keeping long term health costs down and improving health for our citizens.

Take Action

Contact your State Senator & State Representative

Urge them to Pass SB 586

To find your legislator and to email or call them go to

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp 

 The information in this alert was provided by Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.