Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114252

Destiny Lopez, MPA¹, Lourdes A. Rivera, JD², Angela Hooton, JD³, Kate Schaffer, MSP⁴, and Chelsea Polis⁴. (1) Latino Reproductive Rights Project, Institute for Reproductive Health Access, 427 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013, 212-343-0114 ext, 20, dlopez@prochoiceny.org, (2) National Health Law Program, 2639 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034, (3) National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, 50 Broad Street, Suite 1825, New York, NY 10004, (4) IBIS Reproductive Health, 2 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02138

According to a 2000 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 20 states do not currently cover emergency contraception, a safe and effective method of pregnancy prevention that must be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex to be effective. A national EC Medicaid working group undertook research to determine why these states choose not to cover emergency contraception and unearthed a wide range of barriers to coverage and access, even within states where emergency contraception is covered by Medicaid, including prior authorization requirements, inaccurate information and co-pays. The presenter will discuss these findings, address coverage issues that may arise if a dedicated emergency contraceptive product goes over-the-counter and provide participants with tools to ensure Medicaid coverage of emergency contraception in their state.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to (
• identify states that currently cover prescription emergency contraception; (
• learn the barriers that Medicaid recipients face when attempting to access emergency contraception; and (
• develop strategies to advocate for Medicaid coverage of emergency contraception in a prescription-only or over-the-counter environment.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Low-Income

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation