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Arizona Contraception Bill Seeking Re-vote

April 3, 2012

The House Bill 2625 has drawn nationwide attention. The bill would allow any employer to drop health insurance coverage for contraceptives if they cite religious or moral objections- unless a woman can prove she needs the pill for a medical reason besides preventing pregnancy. Insurance companies could also choose not to provide the coverage.

“She can go to Walmart and buy it,” said Cathi Herrod of the Center for Arizona Policy, later adding: “We’re not restricting birth control here. It’s a question of who is paying for it.”

There are concerns with the requirements that women will have to ask their insurance companies for reimbursement if they are taking birth control for reasons other than to prevent pregnancy. Depending on the information that is given to the insurers a person can be labeled as having a per-existing condition.
Supporters changed multiple parts of the bill before the vote was done on Wednesday in an effort to provide assurances that an employer wouldn’t be authorized to receive the information. Meaning, a woman wouldn’t have to explain to her employer why she wants contraceptives.

Never the less, the Senate still rejected the bill on Wednesday. The votes were 17-13 against the bill. Republican Sen. Nancy Barto of Scottsdale asked for a reconsideration vote on Thursday. The Arizona Senate agreed to allow a do-over vote on the contraception bill. The reconsideration vote is expected to occur in April. If Barto can get the votes, the bill would still need a final House vote before even going to Governor Jan Brewer.

Can forcing a woman to submit private health information to their health plans or insurers open a door to discrimination based on contraceptive use? Should the bill be accepted once the re-vote takes place? If yes, will there be a less amount of people purchasing contraceptives due to the bill?

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