Ore. lawmakers consider controversial birth control bill

Ore. lawmakers consider controversial birth control bill

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Story Published: Feb 28, 2007 at 11:16 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 14, 2009 at 3:19 PM PDT

By Melica Johnson and KATU Web Staff

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SALEM - Oregon lawmakers are considering a controversial bill that would require health insurance companies to cover birth control pills if they cover other prescriptions.

The Access to Birth Control bill, also known as the "ABC Bill", additionally would require hospitals to offer emergency contraception to sexual assault victims.

Twenty-six states already have birth control parity laws, which treat the pill like other drugs, and many Oregon women say it's time for their state to pass similar legislation.

"It's odd that in the year 2007, we're having such an elementary discussion about something that's obvious: that contraceptives are a basic part of health care," said Jenny Hawkins who said she was stunned to find out that her health insurance company would cover her cosmetic facial cream but not her birth control.

Women who pay out-of-pocket for their birth control spend about $40 a month, which is almost $500 a year.

For over a decade, lawmakers have been considering similar legislation, but the Catholic Church and pro-life groups have successfully lobbied against it.

"It [the legislation] would eliminate options for employers who, for moral or religious reasons, would prefer to opt out of that coverage for their employees," said Nick Graham of Oregon Family Council, a conservative group which encourages the Christian community to take an active role in the legislative process.

The group wants lawmakers to include a religious or "conscience" clause in the bill, giving employers the choice whether to include birth control in their health plans.

When asked if businesses would want the exemption just to get out of the extra expense of paying for birth control, Graham said he didn't think that would be the case.

Supporters of a religious clause say employers recognize it's in their best interest to give employees the best medical coverage possible.

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