Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) announced that Acting Governor Jane M. Swift signed the "Contraceptives Coverage Bill" into law. The State Senate passed the bill unanimously last October for the second time while the House of Representatives recently approved the bill in January.

"The citizens of the Commonwealth should have fair and equitable access to healthcare regardless of their gender. I find it appalling that Viagra is covered by insurance companies, but contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy are excluded from many prescription coverage plans," said Senator Berry, Co-sponsor of the bill. "Contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy are not only critical in preventing unintended pregnancies, but they are also regularly used to protect and maintain a women's reproductive health and physical well-being."

The legislation requires health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs and devices as well as hormone replacement therapy to the same extent that they cover other prescription drugs and devices. Presently, roughly half of Massachusetts employers who provide prescription drug coverage do not cover these services.

The bill was signed into law last Thursday, March 7, 2002. The enactment of the law makes Massachusetts the 18th state to have a law requiring comprehensive prescription coverage.