For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
Women's History Month Win: Medical Insurance To Cover Contraception in Eugene, Oregon
EUGENE, OR —"A woman's right to health care coverage must include the use of contraceptives," said Michelle Mattern, the administrative assistant in Eugene, Oregon city prosecutor's office who led the fight for contraceptive equity. After exhaustive negotiations, Mattern won the fight and contraceptives were added to the city's health plan coverage.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 75 in Oregon has worked side-by-side with city workers since last fall to obtain prescription contraceptive coverage. And now, success is theirs.
Stemming from an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuit filed by Mattern, the struggle involved an open discussion with city representatives led by AFSCME. At that time, various facts were shared, including recent court cases, unwanted pregnancy data, and cost analyses.
"At AFSCME, we believe that birth control pills and other contraceptives must be part of an employee's health care coverage," said AFSCME International President, Gerald W. McEntee. "And we will fight along with our members every step of the way to make sure their reproductive rights are protected and all their health care needs are provided for."
According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Eugene's city workers' inclusive coverage will become part of the 15 percent of large group insurance plans covering reversible forms of contraception. The Center estimates that a sexually active woman not using contraceptives over a five-year period could become pregnant at least four times and cost her insurance company $14,000. In comparison, five years' worth of the most common contraceptive pill costs about $2300.
AFSCME joins many groups, including the National Women's Law Center and NARAL Pro-Choice America that promote contraceptive equity as a sensible and efficient health care practice for workers. AFSCME's more than 1.3 million members nationwide support Council 75 as it makes contraceptive equity a legislative priority for the Oregon legislature. If they succeed, Oregon would then join the ranks of some 20 states, including the neighboring states of Washington and California, which have passed similar legislation.
