keepyourboehneroutofmyuterus:

[NB: More than just people who identify as “women” are affected by this news.]

Today, the White House did the right thing for women, public health and human rights.  Despite deep concerns, including my own, based on what transpired in the past under health reform, the White House has decided on a plan to address the birth control mandate that will enable women to get contraceptive coverage directly through their insurance plans without having to buy a rider or a second plan, and without having to negotiate with or through religious entities or administrations that are hostile to primary reproductive health care, including but not limited to contraception.

Under this plan, every insurance company will be obligated to provide contraceptive coverage. Women will not have to opt in or out; contraceptive care will be part of the basic package of benefits offered to everyone. Contraceptive care will simply be “part of the bundle of services that all insurance companies are required to offer,” said a White House official.

“We are actually more comfortable having the insurance industry offer and market this to women than religious institutions,” said the White House official because they “understand how contraception works” to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce health care costs.

The rule will be applied to all but the original institutions that were exempted—those for which religious inculcation is their primary purpose—and will not be expanded to include other entities such as hospitals, clinics, or social service organizations.

Moreover, it most certainly will not, according to White House officials, exempt private employers.  The Bishops had made clear ealier this week that their ultimate goal was to get rid of contraceptive coverage in health reform entirely.

The White House said that they plan to publish the final rule as soon as possible, and that it would go into effect on August 1, 2012, the original date, removing the one-year grace period from the original plan.

A White House official described the plan as providing “seamless coverage” to women for contraceptive care and crafted to allay concerns about privacy and confidentiality in accessing such coverage.

what is this going to mean for trans folk, or for any folk who use it for non-reproductive reasons? need someone to translate. 

(Source: keepyourbsoutofmyuterus)