New Maryland Bill For 'Contraceptive Equity' Just Made All Birth Control Methods, Including Vasectomies, Free

In fact, Karen Nelson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Maryland, was quoted as saying, "Maryland is on the forefront across the board with this act."

The blog known as Reason.com has outlined that the Maryland bill will now mean that insurance companies will have to cover every contraceptive option that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, must cover it even without a prescription -- which is where the emergency contraception and vasectomies would come in -- and that these must all be covered as long as they have a health insurance plan from a company in Maryland.

The Contraceptive Equity Act will only apply to insurance companies that are regulated by the state of Maryland -- Marylanders who have insurance plans issued by other states will not have the same benefits.

The bill also outlines other provisions that prohibit the preauthorization requirements for long-acting contraceptives like IUDs. The law will allow women to receive up to six months' worth of birth control pills at one time. Del. Ariana B. Kelly, the Montgomery County Democrat who helped to shepherd the bill through the legislature, has said that the act is bound to make a "huge difference in people's lives."

The Maryland bill was designated as one of the top-priority bills by the Democratic leaders. Over half of the state's lawmakers actually co-sponsored the bill, but it was opposed by some Republicans.

Planned Parenthood's Karen Nelson also called the implementing of the Contraceptive Equity Act as a bold step by Maryland, one that makes it easier and cheaper for people in the state to access birth control.

"When so many states and so many pockets of the country are trying to take away reproductive health care and take away rights of women, Maryland is saying, 'We are going to provide more health care coverage and more access to birth control.'"

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