Contraceptive Equity Bill Introduced

Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) agreed to file and carry contraceptive equity legislation and on March 1st she filed H.B. 2382. This bill requires health care plans already covering prescription drugs to cover all FDA approved contraceptive drugs and devices. The bill prohibits waiting periods, and additional co-pay/cost sharing beyond what the company is already providing with other prescription drugs it covers.

As it stands now in Texas, the only prescription contraceptives required to be covered are oral contraceptives. Not covered are IUD's, injectables, implants and diaphragms. Yet according to a 2000 Scripps Howard Texas Poll, 70% of Texan's likely voters support insurance coverage of prescription contraceptives.

Click here to download the full text of H.B. 2382.