[Dec. 14, 2007]
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday said that he is searching for a legislative vehicle likely to be enacted this session to which he can attach his bill (HR 4054) to eliminate a disincentive for pharmaceutical companies to sell deeply discounted contraceptives to college health centers and some "safety net" community clinics, CQ Today reports. Crowley’s bill would alter a provision passed earlier this year as part of the Deficit Reduction Act that has lead to the higher pill prices, according to CQ Today.
An attempt by Crowley and Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) to attach the language to a supplemental war-spending bill failed earlier in the year. According to CQ Today, the "most obvious" current option would be to attach it to a Medicare bill centered on a "fix" of reimbursement rates for physicians. Medicare reimbursements for physicians are scheduled to decrease by 10% on Jan. 1 unless Congress intervenes. However, it is not clear that lawmakers will take action on a Medicare package before Congress adjourns for the year (Allen, CQ Today, 12/12).
The cost of birth control at many college campuses increased earlier this year following the change to the Medicaid rebate law. Many colleges tried to maintain costs for contraceptives for a few months by buying in bulk before the new law took effect but had to increase prices when their supplies ran out (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 11/27).
The Crowley-Ryan measure is supported by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the National Organization for Women and many collegiate editorial writers, CQ Today reports. About 400 community and Planned Parenthood clinics lost birth-control discounts under the law, along with many more college health centers. "It's kind of an emergency," Crowley said.
But some Republicans say "the pill is poison," according to CQ Today. A Republican congressional aide said that the bill "will be even less popular now" than when Crowley and Ryan tried to attach it to other legislation earlier this year.
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Marilyn Keefe, managing editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership
Laura Hessburg, associate editor & senior health policy advisor, National Partnership
Christine Monahan, assistant editor & health program assistant, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Kimberley Lufkin, senior editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Paula Fortner, Brittany Hackett, Ryan Holeywell, Julia Moss, Santosh Rao, Zach Swiss, Matt Wayt, staff writers
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