Rep. Waxman Statement on New Preventive Services for Women under the Affordable Care Act

“This is a banner day for women’s health.  Women are finally getting coverage for their basic health care needs, empowering them to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Waxman.  “We are already seeing the Affordable Care Act make strides in cutting healthcare costs and putting consumers and their health care providers – not big insurance companies -- in charge of their medical care.  This is yet another important step in that direction.” 

The new prevention-related services are:  well-women visits; gestational diabetes screening; domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling; FDA-approved contraceptive methods, and contraceptive education and counseling; breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling; HPV DNA testing, for women 30 and older; sexually transmitted infections counseling for sexually-active women; and HIV screening and counseling for sexually-active women.  These services will allow women to access preventive services to stay healthy, catch potentially seriously conditions earlier, and protect against prohibitive medical costs.

A new HHS report found that approximately 47 million women are in health plans that must cover these new preventive services at no charge at the next renewal date, on or after August 1.  In California alone, HHS estimates that over 5 million women will have guaranteed access to these additional services.