CALIFORNIA: SENATE OKS CONTRACEPTIVE COVERAGE
"In an attempt to lower out-of-pocket medical costs forThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
women," the California Senate voted Tuesday to require health
insurers to cover prescription contraceptive coverage, San
Francisco Chronicle reports. The bill, which is similar to one
Gov. Pete Wilson (R) vetoed last year on the grounds it would
increase employer costs, "requires that health insurance policies
issued, amended or renewed after Jan. 1, 1998, offer coverage for
a variety of contraceptive methods. Coverage would also apply to
a plan member's spouse and dependents." The Senate approved the
measure 21-14.
THE DEBATE
Supporters of the legislation say that contraceptives are
the most widely used drug by women ages 18-44, but few private
insurers offer coverage for them. Many HMOs offer some type of
contraceptive coverage. State Sen. Dede Alpert (D), sponsor of
the measure, said, "It is extremely troubling that so many
private insurers will cover abortion, sterilization and tubal
ligations -- all more expensive and dangerous procedures -- but
not the option of contraception." She also cited a study that
found two-thirds of large group health plans do not offer
contraceptive coverage. In addition, a Kaiser Family Foundation
study found that women pay 68% more than men in out-of-pocket
health care expenses. Opponents of the measure, however, charge
that the requirement would lead to an increase in health
insurance costs. Alpert countered, pointing to a recent study by
the Health Insurance Association of America that found that it
costs employers $16 per year per employee to provide such
coverage.
NEXT MOVES
The bill now heads to the Assembly before being sent to Gov.
Wilson for his signature. The governor, however, is likely to
veto the bill. "Wilson has said he will veto any bill affecting
HMOs because he is waiting for the findings" from his managed
care commission, which is scheduled to make recommendations in
January on how to improve managed care (Lucas, 9/3). Click here
for a related story.