What are the states that mandate contraceptive equality?
Legislation that would require insurance companies to pay for female contraceptive is a debate that has been argued by lawmakers. There are so called “pill bills” that are currently being debated in many states. Impotence medication for men is what insurers are debating to provide their consumers.
Many women’s groups have argued the fact that many insurers provide coverage for anti-impotence pills such as Viagra, and don’t cover contraceptives for women for over several years.
Janet Benshoof, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a legal advocacy organization claims, “When it comes to health coverage, women pay more and get less. Call it the Viagra gap. Men get their needs covered, women don’t.”
Women of childbearing age (15-44) pay 68 percent more in out-of-pocket medical expenses than men of the same age, according to Benshoof. She claims that a large part of these out-of-pocket medical expenses involve in contraceptive medication that insurers don’t cover for women.
The passage of any such care mandates is adamantly opposed by The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
Jack Faris, NFIB president clams, “Health care mandates adversely affect small businesses by causing health care costs to skyrocket through premium rate hikes. Small businesses and their employees are often the hardest hit by these government mandates. The end result is often more uninsured workers. The decision on insurance policy coverage should be left up to the employer, employee and the health insurance provider-not government.”
Here are some states that have dealt with this debate:
- California
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington