Oct. 4, 2012 -- Abortions and unplanned pregnancies dropped dramatically in a new study when women and teenaged girls were provided birth control at no cost. The women and girls were also more likely to choose IUDs or contraceptive implants when cost was not an issue. Family planning advocates say the study shows the potential of the health reform law (now known by both supporters and opponents as Obamacare) to reduce unplanned pregnancies nationwide.

‘Cost Has Been Barrier to IUD, Implant Use’ The law requires health insurers to provide all FDA-approved forms of contraception without charging a co-pay. They say cost has been a big barrier to the use of IUDs and implants, which have a much lower rate of failure than other reversible birth control methods. “This study reinforces what I have seen in my own practice,” says Yale School of Medicine ob-gyn Nancy Stanwood, MD, who is chair-elect of the group Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health. “When women have access to all methods of birth control and cost is not a barrier, they prefer the highly effective methods."