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Affordable Care Act Provides New Benefits To Women As Of Wednesday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A new era in health care begins for millions of American women on Wednesday.

Big changes brought about by the president's health care reform law are taking effect, meaning an estimated 47 million women will see the effects of the Affordable Care Act, which passed in 2012 and was largely upheld by the Supreme Court in June.

More: Local Officials React To Health Care Reform

As TV 10-55's Katie McGee reports, more women will now have access to preventive services and screenings for situations where they're most at risk.

These new benefits include: Well-woman visits, screening for gestational diabetes, domestic violence counseling, contraceptives, breastfeeding support and supplies, screening and counseling for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and HPV DNA testing.

All new health plans must provide these new services with no co-pay.

However, not all insured women will have access to these benefits. Some insurance plans may have a "grandfathered" status which means they could be exempt from offering these services.

For more information on the health care changes, check out Katie McGee's full report.

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