I am late to the party on this one, but should post it up al the same.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced new guidelines in Washington Monday requiring health insurance plans beginning on or after August 1, 2012 to cover several women’s preventive services, including birth control and voluntary sterilization.
According to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the decision is a part of the Affordable Care Act’s move to stop problems before they start. “These historic guidelines are based on science and existing literature and will help ensure women get the preventive health benefits they need,” she said in a news release.
In July, the Institute of Medicine issued the results of a scientific review of women’s health needs and provided recommendations on specific preventive measures to help them. Today HHS approved those recommendations.
Whole story via CNN Health, complete with the predictable reaction from a Roman Catholic cardinal. Every now and then the people who run the U.S. government do something that does not disappoint.
Hat-tip to Amanda Marcotte, who today goes one better and offers “Two more reasons to be a curmudgeonly childless marriage boycotter.”
One Response to “Some actual good policy news”
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Right on. An unwanted pregnancy is a medical problem with severe consequences if left untreated.