DeLauro Applauds HHS Women's Health Guidelines

Statement

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) Ranking Member on the Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) new guidelines for women's health insurance coverage.

Under the new guidelines, developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), preventive health care services such as contraception, screening and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases, well-woman visits, breastfeeding support, HPV DNA testing, and domestic violence screening must be provided in new plans by insurance companies without a co-pay or deductible. Issued as part of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, these guidelines will help American women stay healthier while reducing our country's health care costs.

"I am very pleased that HHS has adopted the guidelines recommended by the Institute of Medicine, and that these critical preventive health care services will be covered by health insurance with no cost-sharing. These measures will help to ensure that the Affordable Care Act functions as it was intended to, transforming our health care system, expanding access to care, and bettering the lives of Americans. These new guidelines are great step forward towards putting women's health care on equal footing with men's, and will help to ensure that future generations of American women will lead healthier, more productive lives."

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