Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed a bill requiring health insurance providers to cover birth control measures for virtually every Vermonter.The mandate, which takes effect July 1, requires all public and private health policies to cover a wide range of birth control and sterilization methods for women and men, with no cost, co-pay, or deductibles.Watch this story"It makes Vermont the first state to require coverage of vasectomies at no cost, making it easier for men to be involved in important birth control decisions," Shumlin said before signing the bill on the Statehouse steps Monday afternoon.Planned Parenthood CEO Meagan Gallagher cheered the new provisions, noting half of all Vermont pregnancies each year are unplanned, disproportionately impacting low-income women. "Access to birth control is one of the most powerful empowerment and anti-poverty initiatives we have," Gallagher said.Critics said the new mandate would only make insurance more costly for everyone."It's another step down the road to Vermont having the most expensive health care in the country," said Rep. Paul Dame, an Essex Junction Republican.The bill passed the House and Senate easily in the final days of this year's session, despite strong objections from the Catholic Church.Lawmakers rejected any exemption for religious employers."We do not believe in contraception. To be asked to pay for it poses a problem," said Carrie Handy, Respect Life Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Burlington. "It's about religious freedom for us. We're continuing to pursue our options."But Kesha Ram, a state representative from Burlington who voted for the bill and is now running for lieutenant governor, said individual rights are what matter most."Your religious freedoms end where my reproductive health and rights begin and that's the bottom line," Ram said as Shumlin signed the bill.

Gov. Peter Shumlin has signed a bill requiring health insurance providers to cover birth control measures for virtually every Vermonter.



The mandate, which takes effect July 1, requires all public and private health policies to cover a wide range of birth control and sterilization methods for women and men, with no cost, co-pay, or deductibles.




Watch this story

"It makes Vermont the first state to require coverage of vasectomies at no cost, making it easier for men to be involved in important birth control decisions," Shumlin said before signing the bill on the Statehouse steps Monday afternoon.



Planned Parenthood CEO Meagan Gallagher cheered the new provisions, noting half of all Vermont pregnancies each year are unplanned, disproportionately impacting low-income women.



"Access to birth control is one of the most powerful empowerment and anti-poverty initiatives we have," Gallagher said.



Critics said the new mandate would only make insurance more costly for everyone.



"It's another step down the road to Vermont having the most expensive health care in the country," said Rep. Paul Dame, an Essex Junction Republican.



The bill passed the House and Senate easily in the final days of this year's session, despite strong objections from the Catholic Church.



Lawmakers rejected any exemption for religious employers.



"We do not believe in contraception. To be asked to pay for it poses a problem," said Carrie Handy, Respect Life Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Burlington. "It's about religious freedom for us. We're continuing to pursue our options."



But Kesha Ram, a state representative from Burlington who voted for the bill and is now running for lieutenant governor, said individual rights are what matter most.



"Your religious freedoms end where my reproductive health and rights begin and that's the bottom line," Ram said as Shumlin signed the bill.

