Birth control coverage mandated

[papau]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/aug04/251759.asp

Birth control coverage mandated
Attorney general says employers can't discriminate on drug benefits
By STACY FORSTER and PATRICK MARLEY
[e-mail]
Posted: Aug. 16, 2004
Madison - Employers that provide access to prescription drugs through health-care plans must include coverage for contraceptives - including the so-called morning-after pill - even if they philosophically oppose them, state Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said Monday.

Lautenschlager defended the inclusion of the morning-after pill in a formal opinion, a move that was immediately attacked by abortion opponents.

"Our sense is that when it comes to prescription contraceptives, you cannot make exclusions, because it has gender-equity impacts, and only women get pregnant," Lautenschlager said.

In her written opinion, Lautenschlager said denying coverage of contraceptives when other drugs are covered is a violation of both federal and state law, including the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, and jeopardizes women's access to equal health care.

"Prescription contraceptives are not used exclusively to prevent pregnancy," Lautenschlager said in the opinion. "They are also used as a medication to treat various conditions that may be life-threatening. In certain cases, a woman's health could be seriously harmed from becoming pregnant."

The opinion provides no exemptions to Catholic groups and other religious-based organizations and institutions that oppose birth control.<snip>

[NC_Nurse]

1. 'bout time!

They cover Viagra- 'nuff said.

[sybylla]

2. Yee Haa! Go Peg

It is definitely about time someone kicked ass on this prescription birth control bias.

She's won a lot of big fights. I think she'll win this one too. Unfortunately, it might cost her re-election. Perhaps after her drunk driving ticket, she may be convinced she's not re-electable anyway. In that case, never underestimate the power of a woman with nothing to lose.

[RetroLounge]

3. Some schmuck filling in for Belling was all pissed

about this. Said it was a person's choice to have sex, so it shouldn't be mandated to cover their "choice" of contraception.

He was a total idiot.

RL