Connecticut House Bill HB06180

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Provision Of Long-term Birth Control To Husky And Medicaid Recipients.

Impact

By implementing this bill, Connecticut anticipates not only improved health outcomes for families but also significant cost savings for the Medicaid program. The bill asserts an expected return of $5.85 for every dollar spent on the long-term birth control program, indicating a proactive approach to not only enhance reproductive health accessibility but also manage federal and state health expenditures prudently. The discussion around the bill highlights its potential to significantly reduce unplanned pregnancies, which ultimately could lessen the financial burden on state-funded health services.

Summary

House Bill 06180 aims to enhance the provision of long-term birth control to recipients of HUSKY and Medicaid services in Connecticut. It proposes reallocating $800,000 in Medicaid funding to establish a pilot program that would provide free, reversible birth control implants to up to 1,000 participants. This initiative seeks to replicate the success of similar programs implemented in Colorado and St. Louis, where substantial improvements in access to reproductive health services were observed, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for children within these states.

Contention

Despite the beneficial intentions of HB06180, there are points of contention surrounding its implementation. Critics may argue about the allocation of Medicaid funds, questioning if this investment could be directed toward other pressing health services or public health initiatives. Additionally, there may be ideological opposition related to the provision of birth control, reflecting broader sociopolitical debates in public health. Nevertheless, supporters argue that the long-term financial and social benefits of providing easy access to birth control far outweigh the initial costs and potential pushback from detractors.