This is the second of three related articles.  Click here for the first article.  Click here for the third article.

Assembly OKs bill to cover female birth control

By PETE McALEER Statehouse Bureau,

pressofAtlanticCity.com, December 13, 2005

TRENTON -- Employers and insurance companies would be required to cover the cost of prescription contraceptives, such as birth-control pills, under legislation sent to the governor's desk Monday.

Pro-choice advocates called the requirement a matter of fairness, noting that while most insurance plans cover Viagra and other prescriptions used by men, birth control pills are often excluded.

"Contraceptives are basic health care for women," said Michele Jaker of Planned Parenthood of New Jersey, during a news conference on the Statehouse steps held before the vote.  "It's an issue of basic fairness and equity."

The legislation passed the Assembly by a 57-14 vote with five abstentions.

The New Jersey Catholic Conference opposed the bill and sought an amendment that would exempt all institutions with religious affiliations, such as Catholic hospitals and universities.  The amendment was voted down on the Assembly floor.

The bill does exempt institutions whose employees are "strongly likely to share the religious belief of their employers," such as churches.

The requirement would cost the state $1 million to $1.4 million under its health benefits plan.

Bill sponsor Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk, R-Bergen, said requiring female contraceptives is especially important for poor women and families who cannot afford full-priced prescriptions.

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, R-Morris, voted against the bill and said it would force health insurance subscribers to pay for services they do not want.

"People should be free to choose what insurance policies best suit their needs," Carroll said.

Laws requiring coverage of female contraceptives have already been passed in 21 states.

"For a progressive state like New Jersey, we've been behind the curve in providing women affordable access to family planning resources," said Kelly McNicholas of the Sierra Club, who lobbied for the bill's passage.

To e-mail Pete McAleer (609) 292-4935 at The Press: PMcAleer@pressofac.com.

(Emphasis added.)