Low-income women could get free-family planning services into their mid-50s, and low-income men could get free vasectomies, under a proposal before the Iowa Legislature.
And if a woman’s private health insurance doesn’t cover birth control or other care, this proposal would extend coverage if the woman’s earnings are low enough and she’s under 55.
Child bearing age is currently considered 13 to 44, according to a state government program that helps pay for services such as pregnancy prevention.
Advocates want to the state to cover services up to age 54, rather than cutting off women at their 45th birthday.
“More women able to have children into their late 40s,” said Kyle Carlson, a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood.
The state pays for most types of birth control, pregnancy testing and other services for women whose income is under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That’s $44,000 for a family of four or about $22,000 for a single woman.
The bill calls for covering women who make slightly more money – up to 300 percent of the poverty level.
Services are offered through the Iowa Department of Human Services’ Iowa Family Planning Network at clinics around the state.
Other treatment includes limited testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and voluntary female sterilization. Abortion is not covered.
Now, about 23,800 Iowa women are eligible for free care, but that number could double under this bill, Carlson said. Cost estimates are not yet available.
Men could get pregnancy prevention services, such as a vasectomy, if they meet the same income, age and insurance coverage specifications, the bill says.
The federal government pays for 90 percent of family planning care while the state pays for 10 percent. This budget year, Iowa is expected to spend $3.7 million for family planning services for people on Medicaid and the waiver combined. Last year, spending was about $4 million, state records show.
“We know from studies that for every $1 invested in family planning, the state saves $4 because it prevents unintended pregnancy,” Carlson said.
Senate Study Bill 3086 is being studied by a committee in the Iowa Senate today.
