LANSING – Michigan may be the next state to force health care insurers to cover prescription contraceptives for women.

In the past decade, 24 states have passed similar legislation, sparking controversy among insurance companies, religious leaders and lawmakers.

Sen. Martha Scott, D-Highland Park, who proposed the bill, said the legislation would cut hospital and health care costs associated with unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortions.

The mandate could also result in fewer children sent to foster homes, and save the state health care costs in the long run.

Scott also said the requirement would equalize reproductive rights by making contraception affordable to women.  Male condoms, which do not require a prescription, are much less expensive than prescription birth control pills, for example.

With 179,967 pregnancies reported in 2005, Michigan saw more than 24,000 induced abortions, according to the Department of Community Health.

Almost half the states have “contraceptive equity laws.”  Such laws provide health care coverage for contraception by covering medical appointments and prescription drugs and devices approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

But Rep. John Stahl, R-North Branch, said he opposes the legislation, adding that providers shouldn’t be forced to pay for individual choices.

“It’s a choice to have sex, it’s a choice to use contraception,” Stahl said.  “Insurance should only have to cover things that are unpredictable.

“People can provide for themselves for whatever prescription they’d like to have covered.”

Dave Maluchnik of the Michigan Catholic Conference, said the Roman Catholic Church opposes the bill because it wouldn’t protect religious freedoms of faith-based organizations that find contraception “morally objectionable.”

 “There are constitutional protections for religious freedoms that are not covered in this legislation,” Maluchnik said. “Forcing them to provide contraception against their will – well, it’s a religious freedom issue for us.”

But Scott said the issue is more a matter of caring for children and preventing abortions than about religious freedom.

“I don’t want to knock any religions,” Scott said. “But if they don’t use contraceptives and they get pregnant, who’s going to take care of the children?”

Although Michigan health care providers are not required to cover contraception, the largest insurance companies in the state already give employers the option in their companies’ plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBS) and Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP) both provide contraception benefits based on employers’ choice.

“Employers decide what kind of benefit packages they’ll provide,” said Helen Stojic of BCBS of Michigan.

Susan Schwandt of HAP said her company covers contraception for women based on employers’ options.

But Scott said many health care providers do not cover contraception and it should be mandatory to create equity.

“We either pay now or pay later in life,” Scott said.  “This bill is just fair.”