While the debate on the federal Affordable Care Act continues, key provisions of the Act are becoming effective.  Last week preventive care provisions for women took effect.  According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), approximately 47 million women are in health plans that must cover these new preventative services at no charge.  The HHS asserts that "women, not insurance companies, can now make health decisions that will keep them healthy, catch potentially serious conditions at an earlier state, and protect them and their families from crushing medical bills.”

Contrary to the arguments put forth by the opponents of any federal involvement in health care, the federal government is not making medical decisions for
individuals.  Rather, people are being empowered with information that will help them make more informed decisions about their health.  Previously some
insurance companies did not cover these preventive services for women under
their health plans while some women had to pay deductibles or copays for the services.  Under the new rules, coverage of these services become effective at the next renewal date, on or after Aug. 1, 2012, for most health plans.  Certain
nonprofits and religious organizations are not required to provide the coverage.

All the services effective under these provisions empower women and not the federal or state governments or the insurance companies to make better decisions about their own health.  There are eight new services that include well-woman visits, gestational diabetes screening, contraception education and counseling, breast feeding support and counseling, and sexually transmitted diseases counseling and screening. 

Under sections of the law that had already become effective, women had gained access to mammograms, cholesterol screening, and flu shots.  Men and children are also able to take advantage of preventative services at no extra charge under the health care law.  These services include
flu shots and other immunizations, screening for cancers, high blood pressure
and cholesterol, and depression.  Visit the website at www.healthcare.gov/prevention to learn about health care services you may be eligible to receive.

Fortunately Virginians will be put in charge of their health care decisions without
interference from state government.  Under other provisions of the Affordable Care Act including the establishment of health insurance exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid where state government is required to act, Virginia is dragging its feet.  Under these preventative care provisions that just became effective, government is set aside and individuals make their own health care decisions based on medical information.  That is a major step forward for  women’s health care.