LAW GIVES WOMEN MORE HEALTH-CARE ACCESS

A bill called the Women's Health Initiative is one of the products of the legislative session just ended in Jefferson City. Passed with the support of Gov. Bob Holden and large, bipartisan majorities, the measure aims to improve access to ob/gyn specialists for women.

The goals of the measure are to reduce out-of-pocket expenses women pay for care and eliminate excessive restrictions imposed by insurance carriers that limit the number of times women can visit their obstetrician-gynecologist for treatment each year.

The new law also:

* Requires health carriers to notify all enrollees, male and female, of covered cancer screenings at regular intervals, consistent with American Cancer Society guidelines.

* Requires coverage for the diagnosis, treatment and management of osteoporosis for people with a condition or medical history that doctors believe warrants car

* Requires health carriers that provide pharmaceutical coverage to include coverage for contraceptives, including those contraceptive drugs or devices prescribed for other diagnosed medical conditions. This coverage excludes drugs and devices that are intended to induce abortions.

* Requires carriers to provide coverage for mastectomies, prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery without imposing a time limit. Previously, women had to meet time restrictions for requesting a prosthetic device or reconstructive surgery.

Medical professionals interviewed by the Southeast Missourian claim there will be savings resulting from the new law, thanks to preventive care. Let's hope they're right.