U.S. Institute of Medicine has found critical gaps in the country's healthcare system
Leading doctors from independent U.S. Institute of Medicine recommend the administration of the President of Barack Obama to cut prices for birth-pills or to make them free of charge. According to the research data provided by the institute, the U.S. healthcare system has critical gaps in the field of preventive services on protection of women's reproductive health.
In the U.S., the birth-pill package designed for four weeks costs from USD 15 up to USD 40 with the health insurance and up to USD 65 for women without the insurance. Besides, women have to pay for visiting their doctor in order to get a prescription for hormonal contraceptives.
In addition to contraceptive pills, the doctors from the Institute of Medicine also recommend to make the so-called morning pills, which provoke artificial termination of pregnancy at an early stage, more available.
Many women without the health insurance often use the services of a private organization called Planned Parenthood, which receives millions of dollars from the government for provision of various medical services, such as, for example, screening for common diseases. Some conservative politicians accuse Planned Parenthood of using federal money for abortions.
In addition to the guidelines on birth-pills, the doctors from the Institute of Medicine believe that the tests for HIV infection, gestational diabetes and human papilloma virus should become more available to women. The doctors also recommend subsidizing annual examination by the physician and advice on family planning.
The final decision on implementation of the guidelines of the Institute of Medicine will be taken by the Ministry of Health during the next month. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Minister of Health, called the recommendations "historic" and based on the "scientific" research.
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