Copyright 1999 The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta
Journal and Constitution
March 17, 1999, Wednesday, CONSTITUTION
EDITION
SECTION: LOCAL NEWS; Pg. 03B
LENGTH: 517 words
SERIES: Home
HEADLINE: 1999 Georgia Legislature;
2 bills on
women's health moving swiftly;
Mandates: Measures on prescription
contraceptives and hospital stays for mastectomies are on fast track through
Senate.
BYLINE: Andy Miller
BODY:
While Gov. Roy Barnes' health care
overhaul churns noisily through the General Assembly, two women's health issues
have quietly --- and surprisingly --- gained momentum.
The Senate
Insurance and Labor Committee on Tuesday approved bills requiring insurance
plans to cover prescription contraceptives, and to let patients and doctors
determine the length of hospital stays after a mastectomy. The House passed the
measures last week.
"Women's health has become a priority in the state,"
said Rep. Gail Buckner (D-Jonesboro), author of the mastectomy bill.
Last year, such "mandate" bills requiring insurance policies to cover
specific treatment got more visibility. But those bills, including mastectomy
and contraceptive coverage, did not pass either chamber.
State insurance mandates apply to employees of companies that are not
self-insured. About one-third of Georgians with private coverage work for
self-insured companies, generally large or medium-sized firms. The
contraceptives bill, though, also would apply to the state employees benefits
plan. This year's mandate crop, though smaller, has picked up more support.
Other bills passing at least one chamber this year would require coverage for
asthma inhalers, and for general anesthesia for some dental surgeries.
Opponents --- insurance and business groups --- argue the measures would
add insurance costs for employers.
"Coverage should be determined not by
government, but by employers," said Betsey Weltner, Georgia Association of HMOs
spokeswoman.
Women's health issues, though, have won past legislative
victories. The General Assembly has approved measures requiring coverage for
mammograms and pap smears, chlamydia testing, and minimum stays for maternity.
Because of benefits disparities, women pay 68 percent more than men in
out-of-pocket expenses for health care, women's groups said.
"There's
more understanding that we need to play catch-up in women's health," said Rep.
Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), sponsor of the contraceptives bill. "It's a matter of
fairness."
She also noted that 22 percent of the General Assembly is
female --- the highest percentage ever.
Orrock said that though Georgia
Medicaid, the federal-state program for low-income residents, covers
prescription contraceptives, many private health plans don't. Yet some plans
have begun coverage for Viagra, the male impotency drug, Orrock noted.
Contraceptive coverage would cost $ 17 per employee per
year, said Elizabeth Appley, a lobbyist for several women's groups. "But one
unwanted pregnancy would cover that cost (of coverage) for 500 employees," said
Appley.
More than 90 percent of HMOs already cover prescription
contraceptives, Weltner said. Still, Bert Fridlin of the National Federation of
Independent Business, who opposes the legislation, added that the contraceptives
bill would cost the state employees system $ 3.5 million, and private employers
about $ 10 million.
Legislation on mastectomy care has passed in several
states. Under the Georgia bill, the doctor and patient would determine the
hospital stay.
LOAD-DATE: March 17, 1999
