SPRINGFIELD – Planned Parenthood of Illinois applauds the passage of HB 5576 which updates the Illinois Contraceptive Equity in Health Insurance law to improve women’s access to contraception. The bill now moves to Governor Bruce Rauner for his consideration.
Building on state and federal law, HB 5576 has the potential to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and improve birth outcomes by guaranteeing reliable, affordable access to birth control for women with insurance in Illinois.
“We urge Governor Rauner to sign HB 5576 into law because it will increase access to the best forms of birth control for women with insurance by reducing administrative barriers and eliminating costs,” said Brigid Leahy, Planned Parenthood of Illinois Director of Public Policy.
HB 5576 breaks down barriers to insurance coverage for birth control by ensuring that if a particular type of contraception is considered medically necessary by a woman’s healthcare provider, the insurance plan must cover it without a co-pay or additional cost sharing.
“Ensuring access to the right kind of birth control improves the health and well-being of women,” added Leahy. “A woman should have coverage for the medication her provider deems necessary.”
In addition, HB 5576 requires insurance plans to cover the dispensing of a 12 month supply of birth control and contraception that is available over-the-counter without a prescription. While studies have shown these measures benefit women’s health and save money, insurance plans routinely limit the amount that can be dispensed and impose requirements for office visits and a prescription before covering over-the-counter birth control. Removing these barriers will help lower the risk of unintended pregnancy for many Illinois women.
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(submitted by Julie Lynn)
Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) provides affordably priced high-quality reproductive health care services to women, teens and men throughout Illinois. Through health care services, educational programs and advocacy efforts, PPIL works to ensure and protect the reproductive health and rights of each individual. For more information, visit www.ppil.org
