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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Lisa Bennington State Rep. Chelsa Wagner D-Allegheny
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Bill would require insurance coverage for contraceptives
HARRISBURG, Oct. 6 – At a Capitol news conference today, state Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny, introduced legislation that would require all health insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptive drugs and devices in order to promote and protect women's reproductive health.
House Bill 2756, co-sponsored by state Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny, would amend the Insurance Company Law of 1921 and allow insurance companies to impose co-payments that are comparable to other typically covered medications.
"It is hard to believe that over 70 years ago, as a staunch advocate for a woman's right to birth control, Margaret Sanger was fighting for a woman's choice to decide how and when, if ever, she will bear children," Bennington said. "Yet, here we are 70 years later fighting to have all health insurers cover the cost of contraception so that women can exercise control over their bodies and reproductive rights. It's ridiculous that they don't, and we are demanding that a woman's reproductive health and future be placed in her own hands and not the hands of insurance companies."
According to Wagner, while some insurers provide coverage for prescription contraceptives, there are other companies that do not.
"This lack of uniformity has resulted in denying many women the protection of their reproductive rights and health," Wagner said. "Our legislation aims to right that wrong and establish a level playing field for all women in Pennsylvania, regardless of their insurance company."
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