Women Gain From Reform Law's Preventive Services Provision, Des Moines Register Opinion Piece Says

August 13, 2012 — Under a provision in the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148) that took effect Aug. 1, "a woman's decision about obtaining preventive health care will no longer hinge on her ability to pay," former Iowa Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson (D) writes in a Des Moines Register opinion piece.

"The benefit encompasses not only contraception, but well-woman visits; breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling; screening for gestational diabetes; screening and counseling for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; and screening and counseling for domestic partner violence," Pederson notes.

She writes, "Over the next few years, as more health plans come under the law, more women will gain access to reliable birth control with no copay," adding that "[s]tudies show a direct link between increased access to contraception and declines in maternal and infant mortality."

Despite the benefits of affordable birth control, some opponents continue their efforts to restrict coverage. "Not only is this bad public policy, it's also an intrusion into women's private health decisions," Pederson argues. She concludes, "Access to affordable preventive care is especially important for women, who are more likely than men to go without needed care because of cost" (Pederson, Des Moines Register, 8/8).