Affordable Care Act's Uncertain Future Has More Women Looking Into Long Term Birth Control
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- President-elect Donald Trump vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act during the campaign.
Now, he's open to keeping part of it after meeting with President Obama on Thursday.
Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he favors protecting patients from being denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. He also wants parents to provide additional years of coverage to their children.
The current law also provides 55-million women with free birth control and many of them are worried about losing the benefit.
As CBS2's Jessica Moore reported, they may be in luck.
"My name is Christine Lawless and I've decided to get an IUD," Christine Lawless explained.
It's a speech by Trump that has the 23-year-old opting for long-term birth control.
"When we win on November 8, and elect a Republican congress, we will be able to immediately repeal and replace Obamacare. Have to do it," Trump said.
"Once the election came in I felt the urgency to get something that was more permanent and that could last throughout 4 years of possibly, the uncertainty of having to pay for birth control, or not having it at all," Lawless said.
Planned Parenthood of New York has seen a significant increase in appointment requests since Tuesday.
"We usually get about 700 calls per day, and we're now getting 950. We also have the option for web appointments and we usually get 150. We're now seeing about 300," Alice Berger said.
Under the Affordable Care Act 55-million women get free birth control.
Republicans don't have the 60 vote senate super majority to repeal Obamacare outright, but they could repeal parts of the law through budget reconciliation and many women say they fear birth control which is now considered preventative care, could skyrocket in cost.
Even if changes are made they won't happen overnight.
"To unravel law, which is the ACA, irrespective of what was said during the campaign, is not going to happen January 21," Berger explained.
Christine has decided not to wait on lawmakers to decide her future.
"I have a plan for myself professionally and personally and they don't involve having kids until I'm well into my 30s," Lawless said.
When she does have kids she wants it to be on her timetable.
