Rep. Schakowsky Statement on Obama Administration Final Rule on Insurance Coverage Mandate for Contraceptives

Washington, DC (January 20, 2012) - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement today in response to a final rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on preventive health services to "ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine's recommended preventive services, including all FDA -approved forms of contraception" under the Affordable Care Act.

"Today, the Obama Administration announced the final rule requiring insurance coverage for the full range of FDA-approved contraceptives without charging a co-pay, co-insurance, or a deductible.

I applaud the final rule — further proof that President Obama and the Affordable Care Act are working to protect women's access to health care and important preventive services. It is no secret that substantial public health benefits and cost savings emerge when preventive services, like contraception, are accessible and affordable to women and their families.

It is inconceivable to me, that in the year 2011, ensuring access to contraception has become controversial. All women should have access to contraception. No employer should decide for a woman whether she can access the health care services that she and her doctor decide are necessary. To that end, I am grateful the narrow religious employer exemption was not expanded.

I fought for and will continue to fight to ensure insurance coverage of preventive services for women....

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