Mont. Planned Parenthood Challenges Lack Of Contraceptive Coverage In Children's Health Program

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 19 Jun 2009 - 6:00 PST

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Planned Parenthood of Montana this week filed a complaint with the Montana Human Rights Bureau over a provision in the state's Children's Health Insurance Program that prohibits coverage of prescription contraception, the Great Falls Tribune reports. Planned Parenthood alleges that the program discriminates against young women on the basis of gender in violation of the state constitution, the Montana Human Rights Act and Montana insurance laws.

According to PPMT, 1,889 of the state's 18,504 CHIP beneficiaries are young women ages 15 to 19, approximately 483 of whom are in need of contraceptive coverage. The group predicts that more than 750 young women will be in need of contraceptive coverage when a planned CHIP expansion reaches full enrollment in 2011.

Stacey Anderson, public affairs director for PPMT, said, "After several legislative attempts to correct this discriminatory Montana law, ... it is now necessary to pursue legal action to ensure our patients receive the care they need." Kim Howell of the Montana Human Rights Bureau said that an attorney for the agency is reviewing the complaint and that an informal investigation could take up to 180 days (Adams, Great Falls Tribune, 6/17).

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