Its hard to imagine the words “free” and “birth control” being in the same sentence, especially to the women who have spent years paying upwards of $30 for their montly pills. Yet, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which deals exclusively with womens and reproductive issues, has released a new report that suggests birth control could soon be free and accessible for all American women. New Birth Control Pills Pose Greater Blood Clot Risk

Commisioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the IOMs report is recommending that free birth control, as part of a full range of preventive health services, be included under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The committee issuing the report defined preventive health services as “measures — including medications, procedures, devices, tests, education and counseling — shown to improve well-being, and/or decrease the likelihood or delay the onset of a targeted disease or condition.”

For many women, this report is a political victory, as nearly one in three women currently find it difficult to pay for birth control, according to a statement by Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Free preventive care would also help minimize unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.

Similar Posts:

Share