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Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) today called on Congress to pass legislation mandating equity in insurance coverage for contraceptive services.
“It makes no sense that health insurance companies will cover the cost of Viagra but not cover the costs of birth control pills,” said Holt. ”I’m glad New Jersey has addressed this at the state level, but many states have not. We need a national solution to this problem.”
Joining Holt at the NARAL Pro-Choice America event were Representatives Tom Allen (D-ME), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Brian Baird (D-WA), and Steve Rothman (D-NJ). The event was part of NARAL Pro-Choice America’s larger Prevention First: Challenge for Common Ground campaign, which seeks to secure women’s reproductive rights while simultaneously working for policies that reduce the need for abortion.
Holt noted that it was in insurers’ financial interest to provide equitable coverage for contraceptive services.
“By guaranteeing that insurers cover prescription contraception to the same extent as other drugs, we can actually help assure that women have reliable contraception, which reduces the number of abortions,” Holt said. “It’s a simple goal, on which both pro-choice and pro-life Americans should agree.”
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