SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Access to contraceptives at no personal cost under the federal Affordable Care Act would be enshrined into New Mexico state law under a bill approved by the state House of Representatives.
The House voted 39-29 Monday to guarantee the same no-cost access to a range of contraceptives granted in 2012 under President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, with a few new additions.
The bill adds one-year refills on birth control pills, over-the-counter birth control and male contraception such as vasectomies without costs for patients.
The bill applies to a broad variety of individual and group health insurance along with Medicaid, but not Medicare.
Democratic Rep. and bill sponsor Debbie Armstrong says the bill is designed specifically to ensure a federal health care overhaul does not affect access to contraceptives.
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