Peter D
HART
RESEARCH ASSOC I AT ES
Fully Covering Prescription Birth Control As Preventive Health Care Key findings from quantitative/qualitative research conducted June – July 2010 for
About the Survey National survey among 1,147 voters, plus oversamples among young women voters and nonvoters ages 18 to 34 including whites, Latinas, and African Americans (mixed methodology includes phone and online interviewing and cell-phone-only respondents)
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Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Support For Fully Covering Preventive Health Services Over the next few years, all new health care plans will be required to fully cover common preventive health services, which means that health plans cannot charge any out-of-pocket fees such as co-pays for these services. What is your reaction to this change in health care?
All voters Very Not sure negative 2% 9% Somewhat negative 19% 10% NEG. Neutral 13%
Very positive 42%
66% POSITIVE
Fully 76% of women voters have a positive reaction
24% Somewhat positive 3
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control: Relative To Other Preventive Services Should these be covered under preventive health care? Definitely should be covered
Probably should be covered
All voters
Colonoscopies Annual physicals/ checkups for adults Pregnancy: prenatal visits/childbirth Testing for STDs Depression screenings Prescription birth control Substance abuse screening/counseling Smoking cessation programs/medication 4
92%
68%
90%
64%
87%
62%
78%
46%
74%
34%
71%
39%
69%
33% 27%
58%
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Just 27% say should not be covered
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control, Among Key Subgroups % saying prescription birth control should be covered under preventive health care services 71%
All voters Men voters
60%
Women voters Republican women voters Catholic women voters Young* women * age 18 to 34 (voters & nonvoters) 5
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
81% 72% 77% 85%
Cost as Barrier to Rx Birth Control Has there ever been a time in your life when the cost of prescription birth control made it difficult for you to consistently use it? All women voters Not sure 2% Yes 34% No
64% Women voters/ under $40K income Young* women
Yes 48% 55%
* age 18 to 34 (voters & nonvoters)
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Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Reasons for Fully Covering Birth Control Single Most Persuasive Reason for Fully Covering Rx Birth Control Reduces unintended pregnancy and need for abortion Makes it easier for women to make responsible health care decisions
All voters 33%
17%
Protects women's and children's health Saves money in the long run Is common-sense health care 7
14%
13%
11%
Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Trusted Messengers: All Women How much would you value this group’s opinion on fully covering Rx birth control? Value their opinion a great deal
Planned Parenthood March of Dimes
Young women*
Women voters
American Medical Association American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Value a fair amount
74%
51%
71%
46%
40%
38%
80%
78%
61%
69%
60%
51% * age 18 to 34 (voters & nonvoters)
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Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for
Special Audiences: Medical And Policy Experts Doctors and medical experts strongly support full coverage for prescription birth control based on science. Unanimously they cite the incidence of health complications from unwanted pregnancies as extremely significant for women (not just young or low-income women, but all women, even those in their early 40s). The risks include poor birth outcomes, mental health factors, and complications from abortion. These can be measured in both individual and aggregate terms.
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Fully Covering Rx Birth Control – June/July 2010 – Hart Research for