Mandatory Contraceptive Coverage Bill Proposed in House
U.S. Reps. Jim Greenwood (R-Pa.) and Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday reintroduced the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (HR 1111), which would mandate that private insurers that cover prescription drugs also cover prescription contraceptives (National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association Reproductive Health Watch, 3/21). Lowey and Greenwood introduced a similar bill in 1999. Greenwood said, "Congress has ensured that contraceptive coverage is provided to women enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. Now, it is time to provide contraceptive parity for all American families" (Greenwood letter, 3/23). Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who co-sponsored the 1999 legislation, reintroduced a similar bill (S 104) in the Senate in January (NFPRHA Reproductive Health Watch, 3/21).
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