Family planning, women’s health bill assembled

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Nine bills focusing on family planning and women's health issues have been rolled into one bill aimed at reducing unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions.

The bill includes provisions by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., that would require insurance companies to cover prescription contraceptives the same way they cover other medications. Reid had co-sponsored a separate bill earlier this year doing the same thing. He anticipates introducing the Senate's version of the consolidated bill next week.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., will co-sponsor the bill in the House.

In addition to the insurance coverage, the "Putting Prevention First Act" would increase federal family planning health funds by $365 million next year. Congress approved $278 million for the fund this year, but the bill would increase the number to $643 million. Under law none of this money can be used to fund abortions.

The bill would provide $10 million for public education program about emergency contraception and would require hospitals receiving federal funds to give emergency contraception to patients at their request and give information on the option to victims of sexual assault.

The bill also allocates $100 million to states to fund sex education programs that provide information on abstinence and contraception, expand teen pregnancy prevention programs and expand Medicaid family planning services to low-income women without having to apply for a waiver from the federal government, according to a summary.

The Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, which includes Democratic and Republican members, introduced the bill today in advance of the March for Women's Live to take place in Washington, D.C., on Sunday.