Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday was asked if he supports “any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.” (Photo of a package of birth control pills by Getty Images)
The state House Insurance Committee unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday expanding insurance coverage for contraception in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1140, sponsored by Rep. Leanne Krueger (D-Delaware), restricts copayments for contraceptive drugs and expands freedom for patients to choose their form of contraception. The legislation mandates the transparency of the process to acquire contraceptives for those insured.
Krueger has introduced the contraceptives bill in every legislative session since 2020 and said that this version reflects a compromise between stakeholders.
“The contraceptive access for all act will put a stake in the ground and say that here in Pennsylvania, you and your healthcare are protected,” Krueger said.
Insurers that cover prescription drugs must also offer coverage of FDA-approved prescription contraceptives in 30 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Pennsylvania is not one of those states.
Other than preventing pregnancy, Kreuger listed several other benefits of contraceptives covered under this bill, including reduced menstrual pain, lowered risk of gynecological disorders and a decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.
The bill was amended with technical edits before approval by the committee and moved to the House Rules Committee to determine best procedures for bringing the bill back to the floor.
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