Contraception is prevention: Successfully campaigning to make sure that women aren't left out of health reform

Health care reform offered Americans guaranteed affordable coverage. But will that coverage meet the needs of women, including comprehensive reproductive health services? Existing health private health insurance often penalizes women by charging them more for less coverage and leaving some of women's routine health needs outside the scope of covered services. Federal reform offers opportunities to right these wrongs and require private insurance to better meet women's needs. However, the politics of abortion and abstinence present significant challenges. Women's health advocates are engaged in policy advocacy on several fronts, including making sure that private coverage is affordable, that the essential benefit package includes comprehensive reproductive health services, that contraception is included in preventive health services covered with no cost-sharing requirement, and that provider-refusal clauses don't undermine women's ability access needed care. These advocacy campaigns will be explained in detail, with special attention on Raising Women's Voices “Contraception as Prevention” campaign.