Enforcement Of Birth Control Mandate Temporarily Halted For Pa. Catholic Groups
The Supreme Court stopped enforcement of the health law's birth-control mandate against several Catholic organizations in Pennsylvania, pending a response from the Obama administration. Meanwhile, a Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that some women are paying hefty fees for contraception, despite a health law requirement that insurers provide no-cost access to FDA-approved methods.
The Hill:
Supreme Court Halts Birth Control Mandate For Groups
The Supreme Court is temporarily halting the enforcement of ObamaCare’s contraception mandate against several Catholic organizations in Pennsylvania. In a ruling issued late Wednesday, Justice Samuel Alito said the mandate is “recalled” pending a response from the federal government. (Ferris, 4/16)
The Washington Examiner:
Birth Control Mandate Falling Short
A new study confirms what women's advocates have long suspected: Insurers still place lots of limits on covering birth control despite the healthcare law's requirements to do so.
Kaiser Family Foundation researchers found many health plans don't include all types of federally-approved contraception or they collect co-pays or require other steps before covering it, in a review of contraceptive coverage by 20 different plans in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey and Texas.
As a part of the Affordable Care Act, insurers are required to cover all types of birth control approved by the Food and Drug Administration without charging a co-payment, according to rules issued by the Obama administration. But researchers found that not all insurers are in full compliance, especially when it comes to intrauterine devices, implants, patches or rings. (Cunningham 4/16)
Politico Pro:
Insurers Say Few Employers Seek Contraception Accommodation
Health insurance companies say very few employers have requested an accommodation because they object to supplying contraception to employees under Obamacare, according to a new study of coverage in five states. (Haberkorn, 4/16)
NPR:
Study: Insurers Fail To Cover All Prescribed Contraceptives
Some women may be paying hefty fees for birth control pills, vaginal rings and emergency contraception, despite a federal requirement that insurers pay their full cost. And some women only have coverage for a less effective type of emergency contraception, according to a report released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The analysis looked at 20 health insurers in five states and found companies that provided limited or no coverage for some forms contraception. In some cases, the insurers imposed copays or required women to pay the full cost of a drug. (Kelto, 4/16)
Meanwhile, a secret shopper survey in Washington finds that insurers are giving women incorrect information -
The Seattle Times:
ACA Insurers Giving Bad Info On Birth Control Coverage, Survey Finds
Women in Washington seeking birth-control coverage through health exchange plans are often receiving false or misleading information from insurers, a new report finds. (Aleccia, 4/16)