FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 29, 2014
Contact: Audrey Sandusky, 202-293-3114 ext. 207

NFPRHA Heralds New LARC Policy from the American Academy of Pediatrics

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) released the following statement today, which is attributed to NFPRHA’s President & CEO, Clare Coleman:

“NFPRHA commends the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for issuing new recommendations on long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC)—intrauterine device (IUD) and contraceptive implant— use among adolescent girls.

“The new policy offers critically needed attention and support for IUD use. It is one of the best tools we have to prevent unintended pregnancies and has long been recognized as a safe and highly effective method.

“One of the biggest barriers to LARCs is cost – not only for patients but providers. While the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive coverage requirement offers major relief to patients through the elimination of cost sharing, LARCs are still expensive for providers, which is why reimbursement rates and public funding, such as Title X, are vital in this effort.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) are redoubling their efforts on increasing access and reducing medical barriers to contraceptive methods, including LARCs, through the recommendations on Providing Quality Family Planning Services (QFP), issued earlier this year. The QFP particularly emphasizes the need to improve access for adolescents to the most highly effective methods of contraception, in an effort to continue to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies among this age group.

“The AAP is a key partner in this effort, and NFPRHA applauds the alignment of their new recommendations with the current medical evidence.”

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The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) is a membership organization representing the nation's family planning providers—nurses, nurse practitioners, administrators and other key health care professionals. For 41 years, NFPRHA members have provided high-quality preventive health care services in thousands of health centers to millions of women and men annually. Everyday our members help people act responsibly, stay healthy and plan for strong families.