THE WOMEN'S HEALTH EQUITY ACT:
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Support SB 15 The Women's Health Equity Act: Contraception prevents unintended pregnancy, helps women plan their pregnancies, and reduces the need for abortion.

 The problem:
  • Contraceptives have a proven track record of enhancing the health of women and children, preventing unintended pregnancy, and reducing the need for abortion.
  • Although contraception is part of basic health care for women, far too many insurance policies exclude this vital coverage. In fact, while most employment-related insurance policies in the United States cover prescription drugs in general, the vast majority do not include equitable coverage for prescription contraceptive drugs and devices (Alan Guttmacher Institute [AGI], 1994).
  • The absence of prescription contraceptive coverage is largely responsible for the fact that women spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket expenses for health care than men. This failure is costly, both for insurers who may have to pay for either maternity care or abortion, and the families whose physical and financial well-being is threatened by unintended pregnancy and lack of access to equitable coverage for contraceptives.
  • In December, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a decision finding merit in a discrimination case alleging violations of Title VII (the Pregnancy Discrimination Act) and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Commission based its decision on the grounds that an employee health plan excluded the cost of prescription contraceptive drugs - available only to women - yet covered services for men, such as surgical sterilization and Viagra.
  • The Pregnancy Discrimination Act, enacted by Congress in 1978, requires that expenses related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions be treated the same as expenses related to other medical conditions. Because insurers in the case failed to provide such equal treatment in this case, they are liable for discrimination under the Act.

    What is the Women's Health Equity Act:
  • Senate Bill 15, the Women's Health Equity Act, introduced by Senators Johnny Ellis (D) and Bettye Davis (D) would require all Alaska health insurers that cover prescription drugs to include coverage for contraceptives.
  • Similar legislation was introduced by Representative Eric Croft two years ago but the bill died in the Senate Finance Committee.

    Goals:
     Women's Health Equity.
  • There are 140,000 women of childbearing age (15-44) in Alaska.
  • The average woman who wants two children will spend five years trying to get pregnant and more than 20 years trying to avoid pregnancy. During those 20 years, contraceptives are a critical element of a woman's basic health care needs.
  • Contraception is basic health care for women, and a critical contributor to improved maternal and child health.
  • Insurers have relied on women and their families to pay out of pocket for contraceptive services and supplies, forcing financial decisions that may result in the use of less effective or less medically appropriate contraceptive methods.
  • Women of reproductive age currently spend 68 percent more in out-of-pocket health care costs than men (Women's Research and Education Institute, 1994). Much of the gender gap in expenses is due to reproductive health-related supplies and services.

    Fewer abortions, fewer orphans.
  • Improving private insurance coverage for contraceptive services will increase access to contraception and reduce barriers to effective family planning. It will help more women prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce demand for abortions.

    Lower insurance costs in the long run.
  • While the State of Alaska estimates that employee health insurance costs would increase $3.50 per month to add coverage for contraceptives, improved access to and use of contraception would save insurers and society money by preventing unintended pregnancies.
  • Pregnancy and childbirth (and their related costs) make up 10 percent to 49 percent of employers' health care costs.

    Who Supports Insurance Coverage for Contraceptives:
  • Both the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1998 recommended that all health insurance policies providing prescription benefits should no longer exempt contraceptive prescriptions.

    What other states are doing:
  • Washington State Legislature Prescription Fairness Bill Introduced with 57 Republican and Democratic Co-Sponsors
  • In 1998, Maryland became the first state to enact a law requiring health insurers to provide comprehensive coverage of all contraceptives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Mantius, 1999).
  • 12 more states - California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont - have enacted contraceptive equity laws.

    What you can do:
  • SB 15 has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. Write a letter (see sample), send a fax or e-mail, or call committee members of the first committee of referral (Senate State Affairs Committee) indicating your support for the bill and asking for a hearing on Senate Bill 15, the Women's Health Equity Act. Click here for a draft letter you can use.
  • Senate State Affairs Committee Contact Information:
  • Write a letter or e-mail of support to your legislator.
  • Write a letter, e-mail, call or fax Representative Lisa Murkowski (R), asking her to introduce this same bill in the House. For More Information:
  • Contact Senator Johnny Ellis staff person Diana Rhoades: (907) 465-2906, Diana_Rhoades@legis.state.ak.us.
  • Contact JPCC

    Cited References
    Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI). (1994). Uneven and Unequal: Insurance Coverage of Reproductive Health Services. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.

    Mantius, Peter. (1999, April 20). "Health Agency Created As Barnes Combines Divisions." Atlanta Constitution, p. C2.

    Sources of Information:
    Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/BIRTHCONTROL/equity.html
    Alaska Department of Labor: http://www.labor.state.ak.us/trends/feb99.pdf
    Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: http://www.eeoc.gov
    National Abortion Rights Action League: http://www.naral.com/
    The Allen Guttmacher Institute: http://www.agi-usa.org
    The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy: Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act: http://www.crlp.org
    Alaska Civil Liberties Union: http://www.aclu.org


    Sample Letter:

    (Date)

    Sen. Gene Therriault
    Chair, Senate State Affairs Committee
    State Capitol
    Juneau, AK 99801


    Dear Sen. Therriault:

    I respectfully requests a hearing on Senate Bill 15, the Women's Health Equity Act.

    I agree with both the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that all health insurance policies providing prescription benefits should no longer exempt contraceptive prescriptions. Almost 50 percent of all pregnancies are unplanned, and almost half of those end in abortion. Affordable access to contraceptive coverage is a medically necessary immunization against unwanted pregnancies. Requiring contraceptive coverage is not new - 10 states already require such coverage.

    Thank you for considering our request for a hearing on Senate Bill 15.

    Sincerely

    (Name, address)

    •