Depsite Hobby Lobby Decision, Obamacare Is Helping More Women Get Access to Free Birth Control
In spite of the major blow the Supreme Court struck to women's reproductive rights with its Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision this week, President Barack Obama's health law is helping more women get free birth control.
According to new research, over half of privately insured women have access to free contraception under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Plus, this coverage shift is expected to grow, the Associated Press reports.
Research from the IMS Institute, an arm of IMS Health, which "uses pharmacy records to track prescription drug sales," reveals that from 2012 to 2013, far more privately insured women got birth control pills without a copayment -- 56 percent, up from 14 percent. In 2013, the ACA's birth control coverage mandate kicked in, making coverage free under most health care plans. On average, women saved $269 a year.
Although the core of the ACA benefits relatively few Americans, it offers more free preventive care, like flu shots and colonoscopies, which benefits Americans with employer-based coverage.
Many business groups and employee benefits consultants doubt employers will roll back contraceptive coverage as a result of the Hobby Lobby ruling, which, according to CNN, states that "closely held" companies don't have to offer their workers birth control coverage if doing so violates their religion.
"I don't think you will see a broad impact," said Neil Trautwein of the National Retail Federation, adding that "It's a commonly offered benefit for many employers, including retailers."
The court decision involved "a very unique set of facts," Trautwein said.
"Intense religious beliefs, closely held companies and the vehement objection to contraceptive coverage," he explained.
In addition to women's rights advocates, many medical groups favor free birth control because it can help make pregnancies healthier by spacing births farther apart. More closely spaced births can cause prematurity, low birth weight and autism.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!