Panel suggests free birth control access

WASHINGTON -- Women may soon gain free access to a broad menu of birth control methods, thanks to a recommendation yesterday by experts advising the government.

An Institute of Medicine panel recommended that the government require health insurance companies to cover birth control for women as a preventive service, without co-payments. Contraception -- along with such care as diabetes tests during pregnancy and screening for the virus that causes cervical cancer -- was one of eight recommended preventive services for women.

The law already requires that most health plans provide standard preventive care for people of both sexes at no additional charge to patients.

Despite some objection to birth control on religious grounds, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to approve the recommendation quickly. -- AP