Kohl-Welles: Contraceptive rollback “fiscally irresponsible, ineffective, and counterproductive”

October 6, 2017

Summary

“Creating cost barriers to contraceptives is not only an attack on basic rights, it's fiscally irresponsible, ineffective, and counterproductive. The ‘unintended’ consequences if this rule remains in effect, would be enormous.”

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles released this statement after today’s announcement the Trump Administration is rolling back the federal requirement for employers to include birth control coverage in their health insurance plans:

“I am appalled as well as very angry about today’s announcement by the Trump Administration rolling back the birth control mandate under the Affordable Care Act

“Creating cost barriers to contraceptives is not only an attack on basic rights, it's fiscally irresponsible, ineffective, and counterproductive. The ‘unintended’ consequences if this rule remains in effect, would be enormous.

“Access to contraception should not be based on ability to pay. Furthermore, we know that for every dollar spent on family planning, seven dollars are saved in avoided medical costs.

“Here in King County there’s been a 55 percent decrease in unintended pregnancies because of access to LARCs (long acting reversible contraceptives) such IUDs accessible through ACA.

“Public Health- Seattle – King County estimates the new rule could affect between 330,000-400,000 women 19-44 years of age with private health insurance. These numbers reflect just over one in three women in King County.

“Public Health’s concern is with the cost barriers that might emerge for not only access to contraceptives, but also for women’s preventative health services, including screening for sexually transmitted infections and HPV. If the Trump Administration redefines the ‘essential benefits.’”