In July 1999 Hawai'i became just the 8th state to enact legislation to assure women with health insurance full access to contraceptive services and supplies. After gradual definition and attempts at solution of the problem over almost a decade, it was decided to seek a legislative solution. "Riding the rapids" of the legislative process challenged bureaucrats, advocates, consumers, providers, employers, and insurers in terms of their values, purposes, priorities, and intended and real outcomes. The crafting of the act, and its extremely carefully worded 'conscience clause' was crucial in accomodating the interests of advocates and of oppoonents, and can be used as a model for other states. Forging and preserving the clarity, consensus and focus of the advocates also proved vital to our success. As the trend toward universal health coverage and managed care continues, full access to contraceptive services and supplies must not be taken for granted, and indeed, will not occur unless the common practice by health insurers of contraceptive exclusion is challenged and eliminated.
Learning Objectives: Participants will 1)Identify the key steps to passage of a law to prohibit the exclusion of contraceptive services and supplies from health insurance; 2) Analyze the key features of a successful 'conscience clause' crucial to the passage of such a law in Hawai'i; and 3) Analyze the need for and possible strategies to accomplish a similar law in their home states
Keywords: Access and Services, Contraception
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.