Free Birth Control May Be the Wave of the Future

The Institute of Medicine has recommended that health insurers pay the full cost for birth control pills. Will it fly with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius?

Birth control pills are the most common form of contraception in the United States. Popular among all age groups, almost 80 percent of sexually active females have a prescription. It’s more common than acne medication for teens, and anti-depressants in middle-aged women. As a highly used preventative measure, and as a drug that has been on the market for decades, it is cost-effective and highly successful. The cost for a month’s supply is reasonable, but the Institute of Medicine is advocating that there should be no cost.

In a report today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggests that free birth control should be mandatory for all insurance companies. The nonprofit medical advisory group also recommends that there should be no co-pay for these preventative measures either. That includes all FDA-approved contraceptives, including pills taken after sexual intercourse, such as the Morning After Pill, Plan B, or Ella.

Although the IOM is receiving support on this topic from some women’s health advocates, others find the idea somewhat controversial. Not only might this plan unintentionally promote the acceptance of sexual activity among young women, but it taps on that touchy subject of morals based on religion as well. Religion and politics obviously do not always mesh well.

IOM chooses not to consider the costs of such an investment. Women’s health is of most importance for these reforms, not money.

According to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, about half of all pregnancies in America are unintended. Even with health insurance, the medical costs involved with pregnancies as well as childcare could be devastating to parents who are not prepared. Emotional, physical and financial strains on women create even bigger problems for the future of their health as well as the health of their children. IOM suggests that better assistance with these types of issues could help prevent even further complications.

Additionally, IOM suggests that insurance companies have required coverage for health-related counseling, annual HIV screening, breastfeeding costs and more.

In the end, someone will be paying for all of this new coverage. It’s not likely that “someone” will be the insurance companies. In fact, this new coverage could be cost effective for them if the rate of unintended pregnancies sees a drop. Instead of extremely expensive hospital bills, insurance companies could possibly look forward to covering the much cheaper costs of birth control. 

Either way, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will have a lot to think about as far as money goes. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be expected to announce her decisions concerning these recommendations as early as August 1.