Rep. Schakowsky Statement on HHS Release of Women's Preventative Health Services Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C. --Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) new guidelines, developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), on insurance coverage of preventive health services for women:

On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health And Human Services (HHS) issued new guidelines that will ensure women receive preventive health services at no additional cost. Issued as part of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, these guidelines seek to make further improvements in women's health.

The recommended preventive services include: contraception; breastfeeding support; well-woman visits; screening for gestational diabetes; HPV testing; sexually-transmitted infection counseling; HIV screening and counseling; and domestic violence screening and counseling.

Along with fellow members of the House, Rep. Schakowsky sent a letter to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) urging the recommendations include coverage of contraceptives and encouraged Secretary Sebelius to adopt the recommendations in full.

"I thank the Obama administration for adopting the IOM recommendations in full, including coverage of family planning services and screenings for domestic violence without cost-sharing,... said Rep. Schakowsky. "The elimination of cost-sharing is key to ensuring that all women and girls get access to these important services when they need them instead of being locked out of coverage because of high cost-sharing requirements....

###

Contact: Adjoa Adofo, (202) 225-2111
adjoa.adofo@mail.house.gov