Volume XXI
Issue
1
Date
2019

Promoting Reproductive Liberty: Requiring Insurance Coverage of Contraception Removal

by Rhea Shinde

The full spectrum of reproductive choice crucially includes access to removal of contraceptive devices. Removal of long acting reversible contraception (“LARC”), whether in the form of intrauterine devices (“IUD”) or arm implants, involves an expensive medical procedure just as initial insertion of the device does. Although LARC methods are designed to provide contraceptive benefit for three to twelve years depending on the type, the patient may desire to have the device removed at any time during that period. The reasons for removal may include the experience of side effects, altered family planning goals, or simply a change of mind. All of these are valid reasons for the patient to exercise their autonomy and make decisions about their own body and reproductive future. As such, true reproductive liberty requires that patients have access to the removal of LARC devices on demand.

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