State Rep. Tina Davis Pushes Bill To Protect Insurance Coverage Of Contraceptives

State Representative Tina Davis, along with other lawmakers, has proposed legislation which would require that all state-regulated and self-funded insurance plans in the commonwealth to cover vasectomies and contraceptives, including any prescription or non-prescription method of birth control approved by the U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The state bill would also hope to eliminate most co-payments for birth control and vasectomies, enable women to receive 12 months of birth control at one time, and lift pre-authorizations on intrauterine devices (IUDs).

According to a recent press release from Davis’ office, the legislation is in response to President Donald Trump administration’s plans to roll back contraceptive coverage requirements within the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The rollback allows any employer to opt-out of providing contraceptive coverage in its health plan based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.

The administration issued two rules — one outlining how an employer could claim an exemption for religious beliefs, the other outlining an exemption for sincerely held moral convictions — on the same day Attorney General Jeff Sessions called for sweeping protections for religious freedom in a government-wide memo that could have far-reaching implications, according to a report by Politico. The Trump administration said it was acting to protect individuals and groups from being forced to violate their religious beliefs as it downplayed concerns that more women would struggle to afford birth control.

Women’s health groups for months have been preparing lawsuits against the new policies, which they say will enable employers to deny their workers access to needed care. About 2.5 million women in Pennsylvania, and 55 million across the country, currently use the benefit under President Barack Obama’s administration to access affordable, effective contraceptives.

“Government has no business limiting the health care options available to women,” said Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township. “This bill not only protects our right to make our own choices about our bodies, but it sends a message to the federal government that Pennsylvania women will not be hampered by its bad policies. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on this bill, and there should be no reason to hold it up in the General Assembly.”