Oral

This session deals with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the challenges faced as we try to ensure that the major expansion of coverage promised by health reform fully addresses women’s reproductive health needs. Our intention is to take the discussion further than the restrictions on abortion coverage included in the Act with presentations on challenging differential eligibility rules for family planning vs. prenatal care; fighting to preserve the federalization of Medicaid eligibility as a means of undoing discriminatory treatment of people of color by southern & rural states; the campaign for contraception as prevention; and expanding work on health disparities to address gender and sexual identity. The panel will address developments on the federal level, as well as how the Affordable Care Act is playing out in the states.

Session Objectives: Identify women's health issues that are impacted by the implementation of health care reform at the federal and state levels. Analyze the arguments for and against treating contraceptive services as a preventive health benefit. Explain the requirements privates insurers must comply with in order to include abortion in health insurance plans sold through state insurance exchanges.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)