Arizona Birth Control Bill Penalizes Women For Using Contraception

[Syphon]

Arizona legislators have advanced an unprecedented bill that would require women who wish to have their contraception covered by their health insurance plans to prove to their employers that they are taking it to treat medical conditions. The bill now moves to the state Senate for a full vote.

Apparently, the conservative agenda to take away a women's right choice now includes birth control.

Arizona Birth Control Bill Penalizes Women For Using Contraception For Non-Medical Reasons

hmmm the right in support of a government mandate of a private company............. say it aint so!!!!!

pot meet kettle

 

[Care4all]

oh my goodness, this is beyond reason....so none of this from the start has to do with the first amendment and making the church pay for insurance that covers birth control? Gosh, you all are just a bunch of liars....

besides the FACT that if an employer offers health care coverage, it has been part of the employee's COMPENSATION for working for their employer....so THE EMPLOYEE has ALWAYS been the payer of their own insurance....

sheesh, you all are NUTS, to the enth degree....

What's next? What else are you going to force down other people's throats? How about we don't want insurance companies to cover pregnancies? r vasectomies? Or breast cancer treatments if the woman has never born a child cuz their risk is much higher?

These people ARE PAYING for their OWN insurance....idiot.

Care, vasectomies are not covered by insurance, just an fyi... There are a great many things not covered by insurance, do you want the government to be mandating what employers must include in their health care plans, i.e. to force it down their throats? Let's be reasonable here, freedom is allowing employers to choose the plans they want to include to offer to their employees, and what those plans will cover. Anyone is capable of going out and buying their own health insurance if they don't like what their company is offering. And guess what? I opt out of my insurance plan because I am covered under my husband's plan? How much do you think my company is compensating me for not taking their health insurance? Absolutely nothing! So, if it's part of everyone's compensation then why aren't I receiving hundreds of dollars more in my paycheck every month for opting out?

I understand what you are saying Newby, and alot of this has to do with the mandate, which I have never been crazy over without having the public option or non profit option. But I don't think employers should have the option to cut out benefits for their employees without the employees having a say in it SINCE the health care coverage IS part of the employee's compensation for doing the work required for the job.

Thanks for the info on vasectomies....i didn't know that...

 

[Kiki Cannoli]

oh my goodness, this is beyond reason....so none of this from the start has to do with the first amendment and making the church pay for insurance that covers birth control? Gosh, you all are just a bunch of liars....

besides the FACT that if an employer offers health care coverage, it has been part of the employee's COMPENSATION for working for their employer....so THE EMPLOYEE has ALWAYS been the payer of their own insurance....

sheesh, you all are NUTS, to the enth degree....

What's next? What else are you going to force down other people's throats? How about we don't want insurance companies to cover pregnancies? r vasectomies? Or breast cancer treatments if the woman has never born a child cuz their risk is much higher?

These people ARE PAYING for their OWN insurance....idiot.

Care, vasectomies are not covered by insurance, just an fyi... There are a great many things not covered by insurance, do you want the government to be mandating what employers must include in their health care plans, i.e. to force it down their throats? Let's be reasonable here, freedom is allowing employers to choose the plans they want to include to offer to their employees, and what those plans will cover. Anyone is capable of going out and buying their own health insurance if they don't like what their company is offering. And guess what? I opt out of my insurance plan because I am covered under my husband's plan? How much do you think my company is compensating me for not taking their health insurance? Absolutely nothing! So, if it's part of everyone's compensation then why aren't I receiving hundreds of dollars more in my paycheck every month for opting out?

Except if you are federal employee on blueshield.

http://www.fepblue.org/benefitplans/2012-sbp/bcbs-2012-RI71-005.pdf

page 55

 

[koshergrl]

I don't get it, people are bitching about poor women having bastard children left and right, and now we want to do away with contraception?

Uh...no? How is not providing contraception FREE to women, and eliminating contraception, the same thing?

Women are still able to access contraception (including no cost and low cost) already. So how is it being done away with? Did someone propose we shut down pill factories? Close the clinics?

Nope.

 

[Newby]

oh my goodness, this is beyond reason....so none of this from the start has to do with the first amendment and making the church pay for insurance that covers birth control? Gosh, you all are just a bunch of liars....

besides the FACT that if an employer offers health care coverage, it has been part of the employee's COMPENSATION for working for their employer....so THE EMPLOYEE has ALWAYS been the payer of their own insurance....

sheesh, you all are NUTS, to the enth degree....

What's next? What else are you going to force down other people's throats? How about we don't want insurance companies to cover pregnancies? r vasectomies? Or breast cancer treatments if the woman has never born a child cuz their risk is much higher?

These people ARE PAYING for their OWN insurance....idiot.

Care, vasectomies are not covered by insurance, just an fyi... There are a great many things not covered by insurance, do you want the government to be mandating what employers must include in their health care plans, i.e. to force it down their throats? Let's be reasonable here, freedom is allowing employers to choose the plans they want to include to offer to their employees, and what those plans will cover. Anyone is capable of going out and buying their own health insurance if they don't like what their company is offering. And guess what? I opt out of my insurance plan because I am covered under my husband's plan? How much do you think my company is compensating me for not taking their health insurance? Absolutely nothing! So, if it's part of everyone's compensation then why aren't I receiving hundreds of dollars more in my paycheck every month for opting out?

I understand what you are saying Newby, and alot of this has to do with the mandate, which I have never been crazy over without having the public option or non profit option. But I don't think employers should have the option to cut out benefits for their employees without the employees having a say in it SINCE the health care coverage IS part of the employee's compensation for doing the work required for the job.

Thanks for the info on vasectomies....i didn't know that...

And when the government starts to dictate to employers what they must include in their health care plans, that's when employers will stop offering insurance coverage altogether. And in my opinion, that's what should happen anyway. Let everyone buy their own health insurance and pay for whatever coverage they desire, just like you do with home, life and auto.

 

[Care4all]

I also do NOT believe an employer should be that involved with an employees personal life and having to go to them to prove why they need the pill covered is beyond reason

 

[koshergrl]

Alright, that made no sense. Elaborate please.

 

[Ravi]

Arizona legislators have advanced an unprecedented bill that would require women who wish to have their contraception covered by their health insurance plans to prove to their employers that they are taking it to treat medical conditions. The bill now moves to the state Senate for a full vote.

Apparently, the conservative agenda to take away a women's right choice now includes birth control.

Arizona Birth Control Bill Penalizes Women For Using Contraception For Non-Medical Reasons

Just when I think "conservatives" can't be any more regressive....

 

[Care4all]

Care, vasectomies are not covered by insurance, just an fyi... There are a great many things not covered by insurance, do you want the government to be mandating what employers must include in their health care plans, i.e. to force it down their throats? Let's be reasonable here, freedom is allowing employers to choose the plans they want to include to offer to their employees, and what those plans will cover. Anyone is capable of going out and buying their own health insurance if they don't like what their company is offering. And guess what? I opt out of my insurance plan because I am covered under my husband's plan? How much do you think my company is compensating me for not taking their health insurance? Absolutely nothing! So, if it's part of everyone's compensation then why aren't I receiving hundreds of dollars more in my paycheck every month for opting out?

I understand what you are saying Newby, and alot of this has to do with the mandate, which I have never been crazy over without having the public option or non profit option. But I don't think employers should have the option to cut out benefits for their employees without the employees having a say in it SINCE the health care coverage IS part of the employee's compensation for doing the work required for the job.

Thanks for the info on vasectomies....i didn't know that...

And when the government starts to dictate to employers what they must include in their health care plans, that's when employers will stop offering insurance coverage altogether. And in my opinion, that's what should happen anyway. Let everyone buy their own health insurance and pay for whatever coverage they desire, just like you do with home, life and auto.

it's never been that way though....just like with cable, you don't ever get to cherry pick and choose what coverage you want, besides the fact that this would be way way way too complicated for the insurance company actuaries to figure out for each individual.....

I agree that insurance should not be part of the employers responsibility, it makes us less competitive with the rest of the westernized world who have universal coverage....

 

[Ravi]

I would like to observe the HR rep reprimanding the employee:

HR REP: Suzie it has come to our attention that you are always happy and peppy. People suspect you are getting laid. Now we see that your benefits include THE PILL! We were under the impression you were suffering from PMDD, however given your attitude of late we must consider our freedoms and will from today forward deny your access to THE PILL.

Yep, that is gonna fly.

Next they'll be demanding to see the bloody sheets on her wedding night.

 

[Syphon]

I don't get it, people are bitching about poor women having bastard children left and right, and now we want to do away with contraception?

Uh...no? How is not providing contraception FREE to women, and eliminating contraception, the same thing?

Women are still able to access contraception (including no cost and low cost) already. So how is it being done away with? Did someone propose we shut down pill factories? Close the clinics?

Nope.

contraception included in an insurance plan is not "free." it is simply paid for when you pay your premium. you people on the right need to understand this simple premise.

that like saying the extended maintenance plan that was included in the price of your new care was actually free, when in truth it was actually just added to the cost of the car.

 

[Newby]

I don't get it, people are bitching about poor women having bastard children left and right, and now we want to do away with contraception?

Uh...no? How is not providing contraception FREE to women, and eliminating contraception, the same thing?

Women are still able to access contraception (including no cost and low cost) already. So how is it being done away with? Did someone propose we shut down pill factories? Close the clinics?

Nope.

contraception included in an insurance plan is not "free." it is simply paid for when you pay your premium. you people on the right need to understand this simple premise.

that like saying the extended maintenance plan that was included in the price of your new care was actually free, when in truth it was actually just added to the cost of the car.

Yet those of you on the left using the 'constant rise to the cost of health insurance' and using that as a mandate for government takeover seem to be clueless that it's coverage of these types of small things that cause that rise in cost to begin with.

 

[Care4all]

oh my goodness, this is beyond reason....so none of this from the start has to do with the first amendment and making the church pay for insurance that covers birth control? Gosh, you all are just a bunch of liars....

besides the FACT that if an employer offers health care coverage, it has been part of the employee's COMPENSATION for working for their employer....so THE EMPLOYEE has ALWAYS been the payer of their own insurance....

sheesh, you all are NUTS, to the enth degree....

What's next? What else are you going to force down other people's throats? How about we don't want insurance companies to cover pregnancies? r vasectomies? Or breast cancer treatments if the woman has never born a child cuz their risk is much higher?

These people ARE PAYING for their OWN insurance....idiot.

Yes, fuckwit and now they'll be paying a hella vu lot more.. contrary to libtard wet dreams the insurance companies will not give women free birth control.. they will pay for it..say thank ewe obama.

you got yours so what do you care.....? You didn't pay for it, cuz we the tax payers have to cover medicare shortfalls....eh?

 

[Care4all]

My dear fellow conservatives. Before this topic goes even further off the track, you need to look again at what this Arizona law does.

This law prevents employers from providing full contraception coverage to their employees. This law requires a woman prove to her boss that she has a medical condition in order to get contraception through her employer's health care plan.

And that is pretty fucked up. If you don't like government mandating what benefits an employer MUST provide to their employeess (which I most certainly do not), why would you like government mandating what benefits they MAY NOT provide to their employees?

This law is attempting to force employers to stop providing contraception to their employees, even if they want to.

Government interference with the way someone runs their business is COMPLETELY CONTRARY to conservative principles.

well said

 

[Newby]

My dear fellow conservatives. Before this topic goes even further off the track, you need to look again at what this Arizona law does.

This law prevents employers from providing full contraception coverage to their employees. This law requires a woman prove to her boss that she has a medical condition in order to get contraception through her employer's health care plan.

And that is pretty fucked up. If you don't like government mandating what benefits an employer MUST provide to their employeess (which I most certainly do not), why would you like government mandating what benefits they MAY NOT provide to their employees?

This law is attempting to force employers to stop providing contraception to their employees, even if they want to.

Government interference with the way someone runs their business is COMPLETELY CONTRARY to conservative principles.

If that's indeed the case, they're saying that employers cannot choose to offer contraceptive coverage in their health care plans, then I completely agree with you. I thought it was saying that if you do choose to not offer contraceptive coverage in your health care plan, there has to be an exception for those who need it for medical reasons. And if so, then their doctor would have to validate that scenario.

 

[g5000]

Sorry, I deleted a post I had written since I felt it would be best to read the actual law instead of taking HuffPo's word for what was in it.

Here is the law: Bill Text: AZ House Bill 2625 - Fiftieth Legislature - Second Regular Session (2012) | eLobbyist

It states that employers must provide contraception coverage in their health plans.

This is government mandating what benefits they must provide to their employees. That is grossly unsatisfactory.

Here is the part which allows employers or any entities involved not to have to provide contraception coverage if it is against their religion to do so:

Notwithstanding subsection Y of this section, a contract does not fail to meet the requirements of subsection Y of this section if the contract's failure to provide coverage of specific items or services required under subsection Y of this section is because providing or paying for coverage of the specific items or services is contrary to the religious beliefs of the employer, sponsor, issuer, corporation or other entity offering the plan or is because the coverage is contrary to the religious beliefs of the purchaser or beneficiary of the coverage.� If an objection triggers this subsection, a written affidavit shall be filed with the corporation stating the objection.� The corporation shall retain the affidavit for the duration of the contract and any renewals of the contract. This subsection shall not exclude coverage for prescription contraceptive methods ordered by a health care provider WITH prescriptive authority for medical indications other than for contraceptive, abortifacient, abortion or sterilization purposes.� A corporation, employer, sponsor, issuer or other entity offering the plan may state religious beliefs or moral convictions in its affidavit that require the subscriber to first pay for the prescription and then submit a claim to the corporation along with evidence that the prescription is not in whole or in part for a purpose covered by the objection.� A corporation may charge an administrative fee for handling these claims.

So what this is saying is that if an employer does not want to provide the Pill due to religious objections, the employers must file an affidavit with the state explaining their reasons for not doing so.

It also says that even if an employer has religious objections to contraception, that employer must still provide contraception to those employees who need it for medical reasons.

So, obviously, someone would have to prove their Pill is for medical reasons in such a case.

This all sounds entirely reasonable to me.

 

[Syphon]

Uh...no? How is not providing contraception FREE to women, and eliminating contraception, the same thing?

Women are still able to access contraception (including no cost and low cost) already. So how is it being done away with? Did someone propose we shut down pill factories? Close the clinics?

Nope.

contraception included in an insurance plan is not "free." it is simply paid for when you pay your premium. you people on the right need to understand this simple premise.

that like saying the extended maintenance plan that was included in the price of your new care was actually free, when in truth it was actually just added to the cost of the car.

Yet those of you on the left using the 'constant rise to the cost of health insurance' and using that as a mandate for government takeover seem to be clueless that it's coverage of these types of small things that cause that rise in cost to begin with.

the constant rise of health care costs is not due to people who pay premiums and get services. it comes from people who get services who do not pay anything. subsidizing the cost of birth control to a woman is much more cost effective than subsidizing the cost of prenatal care and child care through the age of 18.

 

[g5000]

My dear fellow conservatives. Before this topic goes even further off the track, you need to look again at what this Arizona law does.

This law prevents employers from providing full contraception coverage to their employees. This law requires a woman prove to her boss that she has a medical condition in order to get contraception through her employer's health care plan.

And that is pretty fucked up. If you don't like government mandating what benefits an employer MUST provide to their employeess (which I most certainly do not), why would you like government mandating what benefits they MAY NOT provide to their employees?

This law is attempting to force employers to stop providing contraception to their employees, even if they want to.

Government interference with the way someone runs their business is COMPLETELY CONTRARY to conservative principles.

If that's indeed the case, they're saying that employers cannot choose to offer contraceptive coverage in their health care plans, then I completely agree with you. I thought it was saying that if you do choose to not offer contraceptive coverage in your health care plan, there has to be an exception for those who need it for medical reasons. And if so, then their doctor would have to validate that scenario.

Unfortunateley, I was incorrect in this assessment. See my post which follows that one.

The law is actually doing the opposite. It is forcing all employers to provide contraception coverage, with an exception carved out for those who have religious objections.

 

[Ravi]

oh my goodness, this is beyond reason....so none of this from the start has to do with the first amendment and making the church pay for insurance that covers birth control? Gosh, you all are just a bunch of liars....

besides the FACT that if an employer offers health care coverage, it has been part of the employee's COMPENSATION for working for their employer....so THE EMPLOYEE has ALWAYS been the payer of their own insurance....

sheesh, you all are NUTS, to the enth degree....

What's next? What else are you going to force down other people's throats? How about we don't want insurance companies to cover pregnancies? r vasectomies? Or breast cancer treatments if the woman has never born a child cuz their risk is much higher?

These people ARE PAYING for their OWN insurance....idiot.

Care, vasectomies are not covered by insurance, just an fyi... There are a great many things not covered by insurance, do you want the government to be mandating what employers must include in their health care plans, i.e. to force it down their throats? Let's be reasonable here, freedom is allowing employers to choose the plans they want to include to offer to their employees, and what those plans will cover. Anyone is capable of going out and buying their own health insurance if they don't like what their company is offering. And guess what? I opt out of my insurance plan because I am covered under my husband's plan? How much do you think my company is compensating me for not taking their health insurance? Absolutely nothing! So, if it's part of everyone's compensation then why aren't I receiving hundreds of dollars more in my paycheck every month for opting out?

According to this link, 70% of insurance companies cover vasectomy:

Vasectomies are covered by about 70 percent of health insurance plans, according to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. According to the Arizona Center for Vasectomy & Urology, insurers that regularly cover vasectomies include PacifiCare, BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare and Medicare. However, plans vary, so it is important to check with your insurer.

Cost of a Vasectomy - Consumer Information and Prices Paid - CostHelper.com

Where is your outrage?

 

[koshergrl]

I'm trying to figure out what the "penalty" is for women who use contraceptives?

What punishment are they slated to receive?