Biden Administration Sued After Fertility Awareness Methods Cut From Health Coverage

[Michie]

Stark criticized the Biden administration for limiting women’s choices not only for family planning but also for identifying reproductive health issues.


A Catholic nurse practitioner is challenging the Biden administration after it removed health insurance coverage for fertility awareness-based methods (FABM), a form of family planning.

These methods enable women to track their fertile cycles by charting one or more biomarkers, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone levels. Among other things, couples can use this information, in line with Catholic Church teaching, to avoid or achieve pregnancy.


Attorneys with faith-based legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the lawsuit on behalf of Dr. Cami Jo Tice-Harouff and her patients against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its leadership on May 25.

As part of her work, Tice-Harouff instructs patients in FABM, the lawsuit says, and is reimbursed through insurance by about $350-$400 each session. While based in Longview, Texas, she practices in several states.

Continued below.
Biden Administration Sued After Fertility Awareness Methods Cut From Health Coverage

 

[Hank77]

As part of her work, Tice-Harouff instructs patients in FABM, the lawsuit says, and is reimbursed through insurance by about $350-$400 each session. While based in Longview, Texas, she practices in several states.

How many sessions are typically necessary? Once a week for a month, two months, indefinitely?

 

[Michie]

Learn FABM STM Method

My impression is it is several classes until you are up on everything taught in the course.


When asked about who this will impact, Blake responded that “HHS’s removal of this coverage guarantee applies to virtually all non-grandfathered health plans in the country, whether obtained on the government exchanges, through employers, or elsewhere.”

Tice-Harouff is a member of the Catholic Medical Association (CMA), which issued public comments in November recommending that FABM instruction continue to be provided for women, together with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

In a press release about the lawsuit, CMA stressed that “Women choose FABM for a variety of reasons, including the desire to avoid the use of hormones and devices, to avoid the ill side effects of other forms of birth control, and to understand one’s natural body processes consistent with religious preferences.”

HHS did not respond to CNA's request for comment prior to publication.

Biden Administration Sued After Fertility Awareness Methods Cut From Health Coverage

 

[Hank77]

My impression is it is several classes until you are up on everything taught in the course.

If it's just teaching classes how are women supposed to...

These methods enable women to track their fertile cycles by charting one or more biomarkers, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone levels.

Keep checking their hormone levels and accurate cervical mucus levels. It would seem that at least the hormone levels would need to be determined by a test done by a medical person?
I'd have to know a lot more about what this entails before I would make a decision about it.

Can't private insurance companies cover whatever they choose to?

 

[Michie]

If it's just teaching classes how are women supposed to...

These methods enable women to track their fertile cycles by charting one or more biomarkers, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone levels.

Keep checking their hormone levels and accurate cervical mucus levels. It would seem that at least the hormone levels would need to be determined by a test done by a medical person?
I'd have to know a lot more about what this entails before I would make a decision about it.

Can't private insurance companies cover whatever they choose to?

I think the article put it quite succinctly to be honest. It seems unfair not to cover such classes so women can handle family planning and catch upcoming issues when it comes to their reproductive health and conscious. Why exclude it?

 

[Hank77]

I think the article put it quite succinctly to be honest. It seems unfair not to cover such classes so women can handle family planning and catch upcoming issues when it comes to their reproductive health and conscious. Why exclude it?

Is it just a few classes or does it entail medical treatments as well? If so, how often and for how long?

I don't know why they decided to stop paying for it so I can't have an opinion about whether it's fair or not. I'd have to do the research to answer the questions not explained in the article.

 

[Hank77]

When asked about who this will impact, Blake responded that “HHS’s removal of this coverage guarantee applies to virtually all non-grandfathered health plans in the country,

I see here that insurance companies can still carry the coverage but there's no guarantee, the government isn't telling them they have to cover it, anymore.
I didn't catch that the first time I read the article.

 

[RileyG]

Sadly, I'm not surprised.

 

[Michie]

Is it just a few classes or does it entail medical treatments as well? If so, how often and for how long?

I don't know why they decided to stop paying for it so I can't have an opinion about whether it's fair or not. I'd have to do the research to answer the questions not explained in the article.

From the link I provided.
Learn FABM STM Method

I would think it would depend on each patient’s needs like all medical treatments, etc.

• Learn to be an expert of your cycle with 6 hours of instruction over 3 cycles
• Personal certified teacher to guide you
• Mobile app (6 months free), thermometer, student guide
• Cost effective training that will last a lifetime!

 

[chevyontheriver]

If it's just teaching classes how are women supposed to...

These methods enable women to track their fertile cycles by charting one or more biomarkers, such as basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and hormone levels.

Keep checking their hormone levels and accurate cervical mucus levels. It would seem that at least the hormone levels would need to be determined by a test done by a medical person?
I'd have to know a lot more about what this entails before I would make a decision about it.

The thing about this method is that once you get it there are almost no costs other than some graph paper. Initial costs might involve a high accuracy thermometer. The real up front thing is the training, which is best done over a few months of observation, followed by professional interpretation. There are no major costs , no expensive tests, and once you get it you've got it.

Now it will be more complicated for some than others. Some could figure it out just by reading a book and do fine observing cervical mucous. And that doesn't need any fancy equipment.

Others will not have it so easy, and will want or need to combine mucous observations with morning basal temperature observations. They may need months of help interpreting the data they gather.

Some others will not be able to make any sense of the data, but those people are rare.

For the most part this can be done with no continuing medical care. It can be done in deepest Africa where there is no doctor.

It is also the best way to diagnose fertility problems. Smart infertility care starts with charting mucous and temperatures rather than hormone treatments. Then ofter the root problem can be found and fixed instead of a soup of hormones causing strange side effects and often masking the real problem.

It would be smart for any Christians, and even non-Christians who want to treat their bodies with respect to try NFP. It's a well kept secret among faithful Catholics but smart people can benefit from it. Besides, 90 years ago ALL Christian denominations were against contraception. This way is the only smart way to not be contraceptive and be sexually active.