Federal Officials Requiring Free Coverage For Birth Control

Birth control is the most common drug prescribed to women. And according to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, failing to provide health insurance coverage for it would be "like not covering flu shots."

As a woman who has used birth control for many years, I would hate to think of the cost I have incurred simply by purchasing one tiny package of pills every month. With most insurance companies not covering birth control at all, most women are forced to pay full price for the pill.

And even if your insurance company covers part of it, you still end up with a lot of expenses. However, there's good news for those of us who have been forking out that money at the pharmacy counter every month.

On Monday, the administration announced that it will be requiring health insurance companies to cover birth control as prevention, with no copays. Also included in the new rules are many other services ranging from breast pumps for new mothers to counseling on domestic violence.

Do you think that this is a good move by the Department of Health and Human Services? Or do you think that it will just raise insurance premiums in the end?