Letter: Coverage needed for contraceptives

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) supports access to safe and affordable family planning and reproductive health services for all women.

Contraception and related outpatient services are basic health care for women and should be covered by health insurance policies as are other basic health care needs.

Access to the full range of contraceptive care ensures that women are able to choose methods that are the most appropriate for their health and lifestyle in order to determine when to have children.

While most employment-related insurance policies in the United States cover prescription drugs in general, many do not cover prescription contraceptive drugs and devices. Though contraception is basic health care for women, many private insurers do not treat it as such.

Women of reproductive age spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men. Much of the gender gap in expenses is due to supplies and services related to reproductive health.

Almost 5 million women who have private insurance spend more than 10 percent of their income on out-of-pocket medical expenses. Contraceptive coverage would relieve American women of the double burden of paying for private insurance and reproductive health services.

Legislation is needed to establish parity for contraceptive prescriptions and related medical services within the context of coverage already guaranteed by each insurance plan.

MITSI JOHNSON, Public Policy chair, AAUW Las Vegas branch

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