Congresswoman Hahn Celebrates New Services for Women Made Possible by the Affordable Care Law

Washington, DC – August 1st marks another milestone in the implementation of the Affordable Care Law. For the first time ever, women with private health insurance plans that begin on or after August 1st will have access to eight new services at no out-of-pocket cost.  The benefit for those on existing private insurance will continue to take effect over the coming months.

“The Affordable Care Law has put Americans back in control of their own health care,” said Rep. Hahn. “These new, free preventive measures will mean 5.3 million California women, our mothers, sisters and daughters can be healthier and more secure in their health care choices. These preventative services will also help lower health care costs by giving Americans the opportunity to get early check-ups, regular counseling and access to contraception, significantly improving the likelihood that problems can be prevented or detected earlier.”

Because of the Affordable Care Law, women in private plans and Medicare already have received potentially life-saving services, such as mammograms, cholesterol screenings, and flu shots at no extra cost. Today, the law builds on these benefits, requiring new, non-grandfathered private health plans to offer eight additional screenings and tests for adolescent and adult women at no extra charge. These include:

• Well-woman visits.
• Gestational diabetes screenings that help protect the mother and her child from one of the most serious pregnancy-related diseases.
• Domestic and interpersonal violence screening and counseling.
• FDA-approved contraceptive products, which have proven health benefits like a reduced risk of cancer and protecting against osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling.
• HPV DNA testing, for women 30 or older.
• Sexually transmitted infections counseling.
• HIV screening and counseling.

To learn more about the health care services you are eligible for at no extra charge under the Affordable Care Act, go to http://www.healthcare.gov/prevention.

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